Monitor unit
Monitor unit (MU) is a term used in the field of radiation therapy to quantify the amount of radiation delivered to a patient. The monitor unit is a measure of the amount of radiation produced by a linear accelerator, which is a machine used to deliver radiation therapy. The number of monitor units determines the duration of the radiation beam-on time.
Definition[edit | edit source]
A monitor unit is defined as the amount of charge, in Coulombs, collected in the ionization chamber of a linear accelerator when it is operated at its reference conditions. The reference conditions are typically a specified dose rate, a specified energy, and a specified distance from the source of radiation.
Calculation[edit | edit source]
The calculation of monitor units is a complex process that involves several factors. These factors include the prescribed dose, the depth of the target, the field size, the source-to-surface distance, and the output factor of the linear accelerator. The calculation is typically performed by a medical physicist or a dosimetrist using specialized software.
Clinical significance[edit | edit source]
The accurate calculation and delivery of the correct number of monitor units is crucial in radiation therapy. It ensures that the patient receives the prescribed dose of radiation, which is necessary to kill the cancer cells while sparing the surrounding healthy tissue. Errors in the calculation or delivery of monitor units can lead to underdosing or overdosing, which can have serious consequences for the patient.
See also[edit | edit source]
| Monitor unit Resources | |
|---|---|
|
 |
Search WikiMD
Ad.Tired of being Overweight? Try W8MD's physician weight loss program.
Semaglutide (Ozempic / Wegovy and Tirzepatide (Mounjaro / Zepbound) available.
Advertise on WikiMD
|
WikiMD's Wellness Encyclopedia |
| Let Food Be Thy Medicine Medicine Thy Food - Hippocrates |
Translate this page: - East Asian
中文,
日本,
한국어,
South Asian
हिन्दी,
தமிழ்,
తెలుగు,
Urdu,
ಕನ್ನಡ,
Southeast Asian
Indonesian,
Vietnamese,
Thai,
မြန်မာဘာသာ,
বাংলা
European
español,
Deutsch,
français,
Greek,
português do Brasil,
polski,
română,
русский,
Nederlands,
norsk,
svenska,
suomi,
Italian
Middle Eastern & African
عربى,
Turkish,
Persian,
Hebrew,
Afrikaans,
isiZulu,
Kiswahili,
Other
Bulgarian,
Hungarian,
Czech,
Swedish,
മലയാളം,
मराठी,
ਪੰਜਾਬੀ,
ગુજરાતી,
Portuguese,
Ukrainian
Medical Disclaimer: WikiMD is not a substitute for professional medical advice. The information on WikiMD is provided as an information resource only, may be incorrect, outdated or misleading, and is not to be used or relied on for any diagnostic or treatment purposes. Please consult your health care provider before making any healthcare decisions or for guidance about a specific medical condition. WikiMD expressly disclaims responsibility, and shall have no liability, for any damages, loss, injury, or liability whatsoever suffered as a result of your reliance on the information contained in this site. By visiting this site you agree to the foregoing terms and conditions, which may from time to time be changed or supplemented by WikiMD. If you do not agree to the foregoing terms and conditions, you should not enter or use this site. See full disclaimer.
Credits:Most images are courtesy of Wikimedia commons, and templates Wikipedia, licensed under CC BY SA or similar.
Contributors: Prab R. Tumpati, MD
