Who is responsible for prescribing the radiotherapy treatment plan?

• A. Radiation Therapist
• B. Medical Physicist
• C. Radiation Oncologist
• D. Nurse

Answer: (C)

The key idea is that the prescription of a radiotherapy plan is the physician’s responsibility, specifically the radiation oncologist. This specialist assesses the cancer, determines whether radiotherapy is appropriate, and then defines the treatment parameters—total dose, dose per fraction, number of fractions, target volumes, and any dose constraints to nearby normal tissues. They also decide on the treatment technique and modality (such as 3D conformal, IMRT, VMAT, or SBRT) based on anatomy and goals. Once the prescription is set, a multidisciplinary team implements and verifies it: radiation therapists deliver the daily treatments according to the plan, and medical physicists ensure accurate dose calculations, machine calibration, and quality assurance. Nurses support the patient through care and side-effect management.