Abstract
Purpose
Certain radiation responsive skin diseases may develop symptoms on the upper or the lower half of the body. The concept of a novel Hemi-Body Electron Irradiation (HBIe−) technique, described in this work, provides a low cost, LINAC based, intermediate treatment option in between extremely localized and Total Skin irradiation techniques.
Materials and methods
The HBIe− technique, developed in our department, incorporates a custom crafted treatment chamber equipped with adjustable Pb shielding and a single electron beam in extended Source-Skin Distance (SSD) setup. The patient is positioned in 'Stanford' technique positions. The geometrical setup provides both optimal dose homogeneity and dose deposition up to a depth of 2 cm. To confirm this, the following characteristics were measured and evaluated: a) percentage depth dose (PDD) on the treatment plane produced by a single electron beam at perpendicular incidence for six fields at 'Stanford' angles, b) 2D profile of the entrance dose on the treatment plane produced by a single field and c) the total surface dose on an anthropomorphic phantom delivered by all 6 fields.
Results
The resulting homogeneity of the surface dose in the treatment plane for an average patient was 5–6%, while surface dose homogeneity on the anthropomorphic phantom was 7% for both the upper and the lower HBIe− variants. The total PDD exhibits an almost linear decrease to a practical range of 2 g/cm2.
Conclusion
In conclusion, HBIe− was proven effective in delivering the prescribed dose to the target area, while protecting the healthy skin.
Certain radiation responsive skin diseases may develop symptoms on the upper or the lower half of the body. The concept of a novel Hemi-Body Electron Irradiation (HBIe−) technique, described in this work, provides a low cost, LINAC based, intermediate treatment option in between extremely localized and Total Skin irradiation techniques.
Materials and methods
The HBIe− technique, developed in our department, incorporates a custom crafted treatment chamber equipped with adjustable Pb shielding and a single electron beam in extended Source-Skin Distance (SSD) setup. The patient is positioned in 'Stanford' technique positions. The geometrical setup provides both optimal dose homogeneity and dose deposition up to a depth of 2 cm. To confirm this, the following characteristics were measured and evaluated: a) percentage depth dose (PDD) on the treatment plane produced by a single electron beam at perpendicular incidence for six fields at 'Stanford' angles, b) 2D profile of the entrance dose on the treatment plane produced by a single field and c) the total surface dose on an anthropomorphic phantom delivered by all 6 fields.
Results
The resulting homogeneity of the surface dose in the treatment plane for an average patient was 5–6%, while surface dose homogeneity on the anthropomorphic phantom was 7% for both the upper and the lower HBIe− variants. The total PDD exhibits an almost linear decrease to a practical range of 2 g/cm2.
Conclusion
In conclusion, HBIe− was proven effective in delivering the prescribed dose to the target area, while protecting the healthy skin.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 16-24 |
| Number of pages | 9 |
| Journal | Physica Medica |
| Volume | 46 |
| DOIs | |
| Publication status | Published - 28 Feb 2018 |
Keywords
- half-body skin irradiation
- Stanford technique
- Kaposi’s sarcoma
- t-cell lymphoma