Evaluation of dose variation during total skin electron irradiation using thermoluminescent dosimeters

Physical and clinical results of a radiation bra in patients treated with total skin electron beam therapy

Total skin electron beam therapy (TSEBT) in female patients with large or pendulous breasts is usually associated with shaded inframammary folds. In this analysis, 18 patients with cutaneous malignancy and pendulous breasts were irradiated with a radiation bra and five patients received TSEBT without bra. All patients had moderate or severe sagging of the breasts. The median inframammary dose in the radiation bra group was 89% of the prescription dose versus 4% in the group without bra. The usage of the radiation bra enables an adequate radiation dose for the inframammary folds during TSEBT with no additional local irradiation.

Life after total skin electron irradiation; A perspective through the eyes of a radiation oncologist

Mycosis fungoides (MF) remains a challenge as a disease from its diagnosis through treatment and follow-up. The rarity of the disease and uncharacteristic clinical manifestations pose difficulty in diagnosis, and the lack of treatment facilities adds to the management woes. Though the Stanford technique is the most accepted modality of total skin electron beam therapy (TSEBT), the implementation details are still unstandardized. Different centers adopt different methodologies as per their convenience and suitability. We present a patient of MF with many dimensions of prediagnosis clinical features to the diagnosis, treatment, and follow-up with subsequent developments over a period of 24 years that may help to understand the disease and management in a better manner.

Total Skin Treatment with Helical Arc Radiotherapy

For widespread cutaneous lymphoma, such as mycosis fungoides or leukemia cutis, in patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML) and for chronic myeloproliferative diseases, total skin irradiation is an efficient treatment modality for disease control. Total skin irradiation aims to homogeneously irradiate the skin of the entire body. However, the natural geometric shape and skin folding of the human body pose challenges to treatment. This article introduces treatment techniques and the evolution of total skin irradiation. Articles on total skin irradiation by helical tomotherapy and the advantages of total skin irradiation by helical tomotherapy are reviewed. Differences among each treatment technique and treatment advantages are compared. Adverse treatment effects and clinical care during irradiation and possible dose regimens are mentioned for future prospects of total skin irradiation.

Paraffin gauze bolus as tissue compensator in photon irradiation for mycosis fungoides – regarding a case study

Introduction:

Total skin electron beam therapy is a treatment option in patients with mycosis fungoides (MF) affecting a significant amount of the body surface. For patients with involvement of soles and interdigital folds, however, this approach is ineffective, requiring alternatives such as localised radiotherapy (RT). Although electron beams are well suited for superficial lesions, on irregular surfaces it provides inadequate tumour coverage and excess dose variance, requiring photon irradiation with tissue compensation.

Methods:

We present the case of a patient with extensive cutaneous MF with skin lesions spread over both lower limbs and treated on these affected areas with photon beam RT. Long sheets of paraffin gauze dressings were used to create a 0·5-cm-thick bolus. The patient received a single fraction of 8 Gy. In vivo dosimetry using Gafchromic films was performed.

Results:

After 3 months, a complete response was achieved. In this case, paraffin gauze bolus proved to be an inexpensive, convenient, effective and flexible method for irregular superficial cancer irradiations.

Conclusion:

Paraffin gauze bolus is a suitable option for irregular contours.

Evaluation of the cumulative Cherenkov converted dose on TSET patients with multiple Cherenkov cameras

Cherenkov images can be used for the quality assurance of dose homogeneity in total skin electron therapy (TSET). For the dose mapping purpose, this study reconstructed the patient model from 3D scans using registration algorithms and computer animation techniques. The Cherenkov light emission of the patient's surface was extracted from multi-view Cherenkov images, converted into dose distribution, and projected onto the patient's 3D model, allowing for dose cumulation and evaluation. The projected result from multiple Cherenkov cameras provides additional information about Cherenkov emission on the sides of the patients, which improves the agreement between the Cherenkov converted dose and the OSLD measurements.

In vivo Dosimetry for Dose Verification of Total Skin Electron Beam Therapy Using Gafchromic® EBT3 Film Dosimetry

Background and Purpose

Total skin electron beam therapy (TSEBT) is an important skin-directed radiotherapeutic procedure done in the treatment of cutaneous T-cell lymphomas, namely, mycosis fungoides (MF). This procedure is usually done at larger source-to-surface distances with the patient standing on a rotatory platform. As the patient has to stand in different positions without any rigid immobilization devices, there are chances that the total skin may not get uniformly irradiated which could lead to nonuniform dose distributions. Therefore, all the necessary arrangements should be made to evaluate the dose for different regions of the skin using suitable in vivo dosimeters at the radiotherapy centers offering these treatments. This study aimed to evaluate the consistency between the delivered and planned doses in vivo during TSEBT using Gafchromic EBT3 film dosimetry.

Materials and Methods

The surface dose for the six MF patients treated for TSEBT at our hospital from 2018 to 2022 was measured and evaluated. 2 cm × 2 cm Gafchromic® EBT3 films were used to measure skin dose at reference body positions of clinical interest. All the patients were treated with the modified Stanford technique. The irradiated film strips were analyzed for the dose using the IMRT OmniPro software. The doses at respective positions were expressed as mean dose ± standard deviation and the deviation was calculated as the percentage of the prescribed dose.

Results

One hundred and fifty-four Gafchromic® EBT3 film strips irradiated on six TSEBT patients showed a maximum dose variation of 2.00 ± 0.14 Gy, in the central body regions. The dose variation in the peripheral areas such as hands and ears was larger. A variation of 2 ± 0.32 Gy was observed on the hands and ears. The uniformity of the dose delivered to maximum body parts was within -7% and +16% for the peripheral areas like hands. The American Association of Physicists in Medicine recommends a dose uniformity of 8% and 4% in the vertical and horizontal patient plane for direct incident beam; however, for oblique incidences like in the modified Stanford technique, the dose variation is about 15%.

Conclusion

In vivo dosimetry using Gafchromic EBT3 film dosimetry for TSEBT yields objective data to find the under or overdose regions. That can be useful to provide quality treatment, especially when treatments tend to be as complex as TSEBT.

In vivo dosimetry for testicular and scalp shielding in total skin electron therapy using a radiophotoluminescence glass dosimeter

Mycosis fungoides (MF) is a common, low-grade non-Hodgkin's lymphoma of skin-homing T lymphocytes that can be treated via skin-directed radiotherapy. Our institution has implemented total skin electron therapy (TSET) with a 4.3 m source-to-surface distance (SSD) and 6 MeV electron beams with a beam spoiler. A 35-year-old male undergoing TSET desired to avoid radiotherapy-induced hair loss and temporary infertility; therefore, leakage dose to scalp and testicles was reduced with a special radiation shield composed of stacked lead sheets. The shields for the scalp and scrotal were of 3 mm and 6 mm, respectively. To assess leakage doses, a radiophotoluminescence glass dosimeter (RPLD) was placed at every fraction. The difference dose between the measured and prescribed dose at the calibration point was 2%. The top of the head and scrotal surface exhibited 18 cGy and 10 cGy, respectively. Thus, the dose to the scrotal surface was not beyond the testicular tolerance dose of 20 cGy. Results of semen analysis two months postradiotherapy were normal. There was no hair loss during or after radiation therapy. Therefore, the RPLD is a useful in vivo dosimeter that provides technical information on radiation shielding to allow for completion of TSET without hair loss or temporary infertility.

Monte Carlo simulation of Cherenkov imaging for Total Skin Electron Treatment with CT DICOM realistic patient geometry

This Monte Carlo (MC) simulation study provides an evaluation of dose uniformity in a patient and the difference between dose and Cherenkov distributions, which is invaluable in developing conversion factors to relate observed Cherenkov images to actual dose distributions for TSET patients. This MC simulations with TOPAS is performed using realistic patient geometries obtained with a 3D scanner during total skin electron treatments (TSET) at UPenn. For each treatment posture in the Stanford technique, the differences between Cherenkov photon distributions and dose distributions produced in MC are consistent with the differences observed between a Cherenkov imaging camera and in-vivo dose measurement with OSLD on patient skin. According to MC studies of a flat rectangular PVC board, the difference between Cherenkov and dose is mostly due to the spoiler. This is confirmed by observing consistent dose and Cherenkov distributions in clinical measurements on a PVC board without the spoiler. The accumulated dose and Cherenkov distributions for each patient are obtained by projecting the MC output of the 6 postures of the TSET treatment together onto a finite element model of the patient.

Adjuvant Radiotherapy after Surgical Excision in Keloids

Keloids are a benign fibroproliferative disease with a high tendency of recurrence. Keloids cause functional impairment, disfigurement, pruritus, and low quality of life. Many therapeutic options have been used for keloids. However, the high recurrence rates have led to the use of adjuvant therapy after surgical keloid excision. There are different radiotherapy regimens available, and the advantages and disadvantages of each are still unclear. The aim of this review is to explain the appropriate radiotherapy regimen for keloids as well as discuss the recent reports on keloid management with radiotherapy. Adjuvant radiotherapy after surgical excision for keloids yields excellent local control with tolerable side effects. Hypofractionated radiotherapy with a BED of more than 28 Gy (α/β value of 10) after excision is recommended in the light of its biologic background.

Monte Carlo (MC) study of dose distribution and Cherenkov imaging in total skin electron therapy (TSET) with TOPAS

Malignant tissues can be effectively treated by Total Skin Electron Therapy (TSET) over the entire body surface using 6 MeV electron beams. During the radiation treatment, Cherenkov photons are emitted from the patient's skin, and can potentially be used for in-vivo imaging of the radiation dose distribution. A Monte Carlo (MC) simulation toolkit TOPAS is used to study the generation and propagation of Cherenkov photons that are generated from the interaction of electron radiation with human tissues, and to understand the relationship between the dose distributions and the Cherenkov photon distributions. Validation of MC simulations with experiments are performed at 100 SSD and 500 SSD, and simulations of a patient phantom in realistic clinical treatment setups have been done. These simulations with TOPAS show that the emitted Cherenkov distributions at phantom surfaces closely follow their corresponding dose distributions.

Monte Carlo study on dose distributions from total skin electron irradiation therapy (TSET)

Total skin electron therapy (TSET) has been used to treat mycosis fungoides since the 1950s. Practitioners of TSET rely on relatively crude, phantom-based point measurements for commissioning and treatment plan dosimetry. Using Monte Carlo simulation techniques, this study presents whole-body dosimetry for a patient receiving rotational, dual-field TSET. The Monte Carlo codes, BEAMnrc/DOSXYZnrc, were used to simulate 6 MeV electron beams to calculate skin dose from TSET. Simulations were validated with experimental measurements. The rotational dual-field technique uses extended source-to-surface distance with an acrylic beam degrader between the patient and incident beams. Simulations incorporated patient positioning: standing on a platform that rotates during radiation delivery. Resultant patient doses were analyzed as a function of skin depth-dose coverage and evaluated using dose-volume-histograms (DVH). Good agreement was obtained between simulations and measurements. For a cylinder with a 30 cm diameter, the depths that dose fell to 50% of the surface dose was 0.66 cm, 1.15 cm and 1.42 cm for thicknesses of 9 mm, 3 mm and without an acrylic scatter plate, respectively. The results are insensitive to cylinder diameter. Relatively uniform skin surface dose was obtained for skin in the torso area although large dose variations (>25%) were found in other areas resulting from partial beam shielding of the extremities. To achieve 95% mean dose to the first 5 mm of skin depth, the mean dose to skin depth of 5-10 mm and depth of 10-15 mm from the skin surface was 74% (57%) and 50% (25%) of the prescribed dose when using a 3mm (9 mm) thickness scatter plate, respectively. As a result of this investigation on patient skin dose distributions we changed our patient treatments to use a 3 mm instead of a 9 mm thickness Acrylic scatter plate for clinically preferred skin depth dose coverage.

Helical Skin Radiation Therapy Including Total Skin Radiation Therapy Using Tomotherapy for Primary Cutaneous Lymphoma With Bone Marrow Suppression as a Related Adverse Event

PURPOSE

Total skin electron beam therapy (TSEBT) is useful for primary cutaneous lymphoma. However, helical skin radiation therapy (HSRT) using tomotherapy may avoid the complexity and uncertainty of TSEBT.

METHODS AND MATERIALS

All patients with primary cutaneous lymphoma who underwent HSRT at our hospital between June 2015 and July 2019 were investigated, including 7 patients registered in a clinical trial approved by an institutional review board (ID UMIN000022142). HSRT was performed in 3 partitioned skin areas: head and neck, trunk and arms, and legs.

RESULTS

A total of 24 patients with 53 skin areas (including 8 patients with 24 skin areas who had undergone sequential total skin irradiation), with a median follow-up time of 13 months (range, 2-50), were investigated. Twenty patients (83.3%) had mycosis fungoides (MF). For 41 of 53 (77.4%) cases, a dose of 20 Gy in 10 fractions was used. The overall response rate in the treated fields of each HSRT in patients with MF was 100%, including 38 (80.9%) complete response, 4 (8.5%) good partial response, and 5 (10.6%) partial response. Eight patients with MF who underwent sequential total skin irradiation showed a 100% complete response. For patients with MF, the median survival time after a first round of HSRT was 22 months (95% confidence interval [CI], 13.6-30.4 months), the median response duration of each HSRT was 5 months (95% CI, 3.67-6.32 months), and the median time to in-field reirradiation for each HSRT was 15 months (95% CI, 9.76-20.24 months). Bone marrow suppression (grade ≥3) often occurred (94.1%) with HSRT on trunk and arm skin. An early patient died of HSRT-caused grade 5 leukopenia.

CONCLUSIONS

HSRT targeting trunk and arm skin induced severe bone marrow suppression that led to a temporary palliative effect. TSEBT should still be considered standard treatment for primary cutaneous lymphoma covering the total body surface area.

Tomotherapy as an Alternative Irradiative Treatment for Complicated Keloids

The aim of this study was to investigate the treatment of complicated keloids with helical tomotherapy (HT) and electron beam radiotherapy. From July 2018 to September 2018, 11 patients with 23 keloid lesions treated with HT were enrolled. Additionally, 11 patients with 20 lesions treated with electron beam radiotherapy in the same period were enrolled. Patients in both groups were treated within 24 h after surgical excision of the keloid lesion with 13.5 Gy in three consecutive daily fractions. The median follow-up period was 15 months. The local control rate was 91.3% and 80% in the HT group and the electron beam group, respectively. No acute adverse effects were observed in either group, but most patients exhibited pigmentation. No radiation-induced cancer occurred in these patients up to the time of this report. Pain and pruritus improved for all patients and more obviously for three patients with complicated keloids treated with HT. The measured surface dose was 103.7–112.5% and 92.8–97.6% of the prescribed dose in the HT group and the electron beam group, respectively. HT can be considered an alternative in cases where it is not feasible to use multiple electron fields, due to encouraging clinical outcomes.

In-vivo dosimetry in Total Skin Electron Therapy: Literature review

Aim:

Total Skin Electron Therapy (TSET) is a specialised radiotherapy technique to treat cutaneous T-cell lymphomas. The purpose of this article is to review different in-vivo dosimetry techniques and to identify further research direction in TSET

Materials and methods:

Studies focused on in-vivo dosimetry in TSET were included. Studies based on absolute dosimetry in TSET were excluded and no restriction was applied regarding the type of treatment technique and the type of dosimeter.

Result:

From the review of articles, we have found that obesity index and patient position during treatment plays a major role in underdose or overdose in TSET. Many studies favour individualised boost dose to patients. The analysis showed that thermoluminescent dosimeters are the most widely used dosimeters in TSET, and time-consuming is the only drawback in the use of dosimetry.

Conclusion:

Study showed that the practice of using in-vivo dosimetry would be better way to treat TSET by ensuring accuracy of dose delivery to the patients. Further, only limited studies are available for dosimetry with radiochromic films. With this observation, we have started exploring the use of radiochromic film in our TSET dosimetry, and the results can be analysed to standardise the technique in future.

Cherenkov imaging for total skin electron therapy (TSET)

BACKGROUND

Total skin electron therapy (TSET) utilizes high-energy electrons to treat malignancies on the entire body surface. The otherwise invisible radiation beam can be observed via the optical Cherenkov photons emitted from interactions between the high-energy electron beam and tissue.

METHODS AND MATERIALS

With a time-gated intensified camera system, the Cherenkov emission can be used to evaluate the dose uniformity on the surface of the patient in real time. Fifteen patients undergoing TSET in various conditions (whole body and half body) were imaged and analyzed. Each patient was monitored during TSET via in vivo detectors (IVD) in nine locations. For accurate Cherenkov imaging, a comparison between IVD and Cherenkov profiles was conducted using a polyvinyl chloride board to establish the perspective corrections.

RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

With proper corrections developed in this study including the perspective and inverse square corrections, the Cherenkov imaging provided two-dimensional maps proportional to dose and projected on patient skin. The results of ratio between chest and umbilicus points were in good agreement with in vivo point dose measurements, with a standard deviation of 2.4% compared to OSLD measurements.

CONCLUSIONS

Cherenkov imaging is a viable tool for validating patient-specific dose distributions during TSET.

In vivo monitoring of total skin electron dose using optically stimulated luminescence dosimeters

AIM

This study retrospectively analysed the results of using optically stimulated radiation dosimeters (OSLDs) for in vivo dose measurements during total skin electron therapy (TSET, also known as TSEI, TSEB, TSEBT, TSI or TBE) treatments of patients with mycosis fungoides.

BACKGROUND

TSET treatments are generally delivered to standing patients, using treatment plans that are devised using manual dose calculations that require verification via in vivo dosimetry. Despite the increasing use of OSLDs for radiation dosimetry, there is minimal published guidance on the use of OSLDs for TSET verification.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

This study retrospectively reviewed in vivo dose measurements made during treatments of nine consecutive TSET patients, treated between 2013 and 2018. Landauer nanoDot OSLDs were used to measure the skin dose at reference locations on each patient, as well as at locations of clinical interest such as the head, hands, feet, axilla and groin.

RESULTS

1301 OSLD measurements were aggregated and analysed, producing results that were in broad agreement with previous TLD studies, while providing additional information about the variation of dose across concave surfaces and potentially guiding future refinement of treatment setup. In many cases these in vivo measurements were used to identify deviations from the planned dose in reference locations and to identify anatomical regions where additional shielding or boost treatments were required.

CONCLUSIONS

OSLDs can be used to obtain measurements of TSET dose that can inform monitor unit adjustments and identify regions of under and over dosage, while potentially informing continuous quality improvement in TSET treatment delivery.

Total skin electron beam therapy rationalization and utility of in vivo dosimetry in a high-volume centre

OBJECTIVE

This paper reports on the rationalization of a substantial pool of in vivo dosimetry (IVD) data from patients treated with total skin electron beam therapy (TSEBT) and the application of this to verify the accurate delivery of TSEBT when changing linac manufacturer.

METHODS

Thermoluminescent dosimeter IVD data from 149 patients were analyzed comparing the population mean and standard deviation for each site. The number of sites required to confirm the prescribed dose were reviewed considering both dosimetric and clinical relevance. The reduced sites were then used to assess the continued dosimetric accuracy on new equipment and the results were compared statistically using the Mann-Witney test.

RESULTS

The trunk dose measurement points were reduced from nine to six and five extra trunk sites were identified and reviewed clinically prior to removal.Following change in manufacturer the trunk dose points showed no statistically significant change and confirmed that patients had received within 1.3% of the intended mean trunk dose using both delivery methods.A statistically significant change in 4 out of the 13 extra trunk sites was seen following the move to the new centre. However, all but one site showed a change of less than 1 standard deviation.

CONCLUSION

The total number of measurement points per patient were reduced from 27 to 19 which constituted a 25% saving in preparation and read out.Accurate delivery of prescribed dose was confirmed following measurement point reduction for treatments delivered on linacs from two different manufacturers.

ADVANCES IN KNOWLEDGE

Proven methodology for rationalization of IVD measurements for TSEBT.

Simultaneous integrated boost with helical arc radiotherapy of total skin (HEARTS) to treat cutaneous manifestations of advanced, therapy-refractory cutaneous lymphoma and leukemia - dosimetry comparison of different regimens and clinical application

Background

Helical irradiation of the total skin (HITS) was modified as simultaneous integrated boost (SIB)-helical arc radiotherapy of total skin (HEARTS) technique and applied to an acute myeloid leukemia (AML) patient with disseminated leukemia cutis.

Methods

The original HITS plan was revised for different regimens, i.e. HEARTS, low-dose HEARTS and SIB-HEARTS. The uniformity index (UI), conformity index (CI), and dose of organs at risk (OARs) were used to evaluate the plans. Additionally, the SIB-HEART (21/15 Gy) was delivered to the total skin and chloromas.

Results

No significant differences were observed for the CI and UI between HITS and HEARTS regimens. Compared with HITS, the reduced mean doses to various bone marrows ranged from 17 to 88%. The mean OARs doses for the head, chest and abdomen of a patient with AML treated with SIB-HEARTS (21/15 Gy) were 2.1 to 21.9 Gy, 1.8 to 7.8 Gy and 1.7 to 3.3 Gy, respectively. No severe adverse effects were noted except for grade 4 leukocytopenia and thrombocytopenia.

Conclusion

HEARTS and different regimens reduced the dose to OARs and bone marrow while maintaining the uniformity and conformity. SIB-HEARTS deliveries different doses to the total skin and enlarged tumors simultaneously.

Trial registration

Retrospectively registered and approved by the Institutional Review Board of our hospital (FEMH-106151-C).

Flexible optically stimulated luminescence band for 1D in vivo radiation dosimetry

In vivo dosimetry helps ensure the accuracy of radiation treatments. However, standard techniques are only capable of point sampling, making it difficult to accurately measure dose variation along curved surfaces in a continuous manner. The purpose of this work is to introduce a flexible dosimeter band and validate its performance using pre-clinical and clinical x-ray sources. Dosimeter bands were fabricated by uniformly mixing BaFBr:Eu storage phosphor powders into a silicone based elastomer. An optical readout device with dual-wavelength excitation was designed and built to correct for non-uniform phosphor density and extract accurate dose information. Results demonstrated significant correction of the non-uniform readout signal and excellent dose linearity up to 8 Gy irradiation using a pre-clinical 320 kV x-ray system. Beam profile measurements were demonstrated over a long distance of ~30 cm by placing multiple dosimeters in a single line and stitching the results. The performance of the dosimeters was also tested using a clinical linear accelerator (6 MV) and compared to radiochromic film. Once bias corrected, the bands displayed a linear dose response over the 1.02-9.36 Gy range (R ²  >  0.99). The proposed system can be further improved by reducing the size of the readout beam and by more uniformly mixing the phosphor powder with the elastomer. We expect this technique to find application for large-field treatments such as total-skin irradiation and total-body irradiation.

In-vivo dosimetric analysis in total skin electron beam therapy

Background and purpose

Thermoluminescent dosimetry (TLD) is an important element of total skin electron beam therapy (TSEBT). In this study, we compare radiation dose distributions to provide data for dose variation across anatomic sites.

Materials and methods

Retrospectively collected data on 85 patients with cutaneous lymphoma or leukemia underwent TSEBT were reviewed. Patients were irradiated on two linear accelerators, in one of two positions (standing, n = 77; reclined, n = 8) and 1830 in vivo TLD measurements were obtained for various locations on 76 patients.

Results

The TLD results showed that the two TSEBT techniques were dosimetrically heterogeneous. At several sites, the dose administered correlated with height, weight, and gender. After the first TLD measurement, fourteen patients (18%) required MU modification, with a mean 10% reduction (range, −25 to +35). Individual TLD results allowed us to customize the boost treatment for each patient. For patients who were evaluated in the standing position, the most common underdosed sites were the axilla, perineum/perianal folds, and soles (each receiving 69%, 20%, and 34% of the prescribed dose, respectively). For patients evaluated in a reclining position, surface dose distribution was more heterogeneous. The sites underdosed most commonly were the axilla and perineum/perianal folds (receiving less than one third of prescribed dose). Significant variables were detected with model building.

Conclusion

TLD measurements were integral to quality assurance for TSEBT. Dose distribution at several anatomical sites correlated significantly with gender, height, and weight of the treated individual and might be predicted.

Bone marrow suppression as a complication of total skin helical tomotherapy in the treatment of mycosis fungoides

Background

Total skin electron beam therapy (TSEBT) is an effective treatment in mycosis fungoides. Total skin helical tomotherapy (TSHT) may be an alternative to TSEBT and may offer several dosimetric and treatment advantages. There are currently very few published treatment results using TSHT in place of TSEBT for treatment of mycosis fungoides.

Case presentation

Two patients with mycosis fungoides were treated at our institution using TSHT. The first patient was a 69-year-old Caucasian female with stage IVA2 (T2 N3 M0 B2) disease who was treated to a dose of 12 Gy in 8 fractions, with a bone marrow mean dose of 1.66 Gy and V10 = 0.41%. Two weeks after ending treatment the patient developed myelosuppression including grade 4 thrombocytopenia and required blood and platelet transfusions. The second patient was a 29-year-old Caucasian female with stage I (T2 N0 M0 B0) disease. This patient previously had been treated for mycosis fungoides using helical tomotherapy (HT) at a dose of 20 Gy to a localized region and experienced mild thrombocytopenia at that time. The patient then underwent retreatment 17 months later with TSHT to a dose of 12 Gy in 6 fractions with a mean bone marrow dose of 2.3 Gy and V10 = 4.28%. This patient once again experienced myelosuppression that included grade 4 thrombocytopenia. She also required blood and platelet transfusions.

Conclusions

Both patients treated with TSHT experienced severe bone marrow suppression including grade 4 thrombocytopenia. This was more severe than expected considering the relatively low overall prescription dose and despite a planning constraint placed on the bone marrow of a mean dose of < 2 Gy. These outcomes suggest that patients treated using TSHT should be closely monitored for myelosuppression and caution used even when treating to a dose of 12 Gy.

Dose optimization of total or partial skin electron irradiation by thermoluminescent dosimetry

BACKGROUND

Due to the complex surface of the human body, total or partial skin irradiation using large electron fields is challenging. The aim of the present study was to quantify the magnitude of dose optimization required after the application of standard fields.

METHODS

Total skin electron irradiation (TSEI) was applied using the Stanford technique with six dual-fields. Patients presenting with localized lesions were treated with partial skin electron irradiation (PSEI) using large electron fields, which were individually adapted. In order to verify and validate the dose distribution, in vivo dosimetry with thermoluminescent dosimeters (TLD) was performed during the first treatment fraction to detect potential dose heterogeneity and to allow for an individual dose optimization with adjustment of the monitor units (MU).

RESULTS

Between 1984 and 2017, a total of 58 patients were treated: 31 patients received TSEI using 12 treatment fields, while 27 patients underwent PSEI and were treated with 4-8 treatment fields. After evaluation of the dosimetric results, an individual dose optimization was necessary in 21 patients. Of these, 7 patients received TSEI (7/31). Monitor units (MU) needed to be corrected by a mean value of 117 MU (±105, range 18-290) uniformly for all 12 treatment fields, corresponding to a mean relative change of 12% of the prescribed MU. In comparison, the other 14 patients received PSEI (14/27) and the mean adjustment of monitor units was 282 MU (±144, range 59-500) to single or multiple fields, corresponding to a mean relative change of 22% of the prescribed MU. A second dose optimization to obtain a satisfying dose at the prescription point was need in 5 patients.

CONCLUSIONS

Thermoluminescent dosimetry allows an individual dose optimization in TSEI and PSEI to enable a reliable adjustment of the MUs to obtain the prescription dose. Especially in PSEI in vivo dosimetry is of fundamental importance.

The dose penumbra of a custom-made shield used in hemibody skin electron irradiation

We report our technique for hemibody skin electron irradiation with a custom-made plywood shield. The technique is similar to our clinical total skin electron irradiation (TSEI), performed with a six-pair dual field (Stanford technique) at an extended source-to-skin distance (SSD) of 377 cm, with the addition of a plywood shield placed at 50 cm from the patient. The shield is made of three layers of stan-dard 5/8'' thick plywood (total thickness of 4.75 cm) that are clamped securely on an adjustable-height stand. Gafchromic EBT3 films were used in assessing the shield's transmission factor and the extent of the dose penumbra region for two different shield-phantom gaps. The shield transmission factor was found to be about 10%. The width of the penumbra (80%-to-20% dose falloff) was measured to be 12 cm for a 50 cm shield-phantom gap, and reduced slightly to 10 cm for a 35 cm shield-phantom gap. In vivo dosimetry of a real case confirmed the expected shielded area dose.

Total Skin Electron Beam Therapy in the Treatment of Mycosis Fungoides: A Review of Conventional and Low-Dose Regimens

Mycosis fungoides (MF) is the most prevalent subtype of cutaneous T-cell lymphoma, which is characterized by the proliferation of CD4⁺ T cells. While often an indolent disease, most patients eventually develop progression from isolated patches to tumors and finally nodal or visceral involvement. Treatment choice is largely based on disease burden, though prognostic factors such as disease stage, patient age, and extracutaneous involvement must be taken into consideration. Radiotherapy represents one of the most effective therapeutic modalities in the treatment of MF. Lymphocytes are exquisitely radiosensitive, and excellent responses are observed even with low doses of radiation. Total skin electron beam therapy (TSEBT) is a special technique that allows for the homogenous irradiation of the entire skin. There are well-documented radiation dose-response relationships for achieving a complete response. As such, TSEBT doses ≥ 30 Gy comprise the current standard of care. Although highly effective, most patients experience recurrent disease even after conventional-dose (≥ 30 Gy) TSEBT. In addition, toxicity is cumulatively dose dependent, and there is reluctance to administer multiple courses of conventional-dose TSEBT. Consequently, there has been renewed interest in determining the utility of TSEBT at lower total (≤ 30 Gy) doses. Advantages of low-total-dose (with standard dose per fraction) TSEBT include a shortened treatment course, the potential to minimize the risk of adverse events, and the opportunity to allow for retreatment in cases of disease recurrence. This comprehensive review compares the impact of different TSEBT dosing schemes on clinical outcomes of MF.

Camera selection for real-time in vivo radiation treatment verification systems using Cherenkov imaging

PURPOSE

To identify achievable camera performance and hardware needs in a clinical Cherenkov imaging system for real-time, in vivo monitoring of the surface beam profile on patients, as novel visual information, documentation, and possible treatment verification for clinicians.

METHODS

Complementary metal-oxide-semiconductor (CMOS), charge-coupled device (CCD), intensified charge-coupled device (ICCD), and electron multiplying-intensified charge coupled device (EM-ICCD) cameras were investigated to determine Cherenkov imaging performance in a clinical radiotherapy setting, with one emphasis on the maximum supportable frame rate. Where possible, the image intensifier was synchronized using a pulse signal from the Linac in order to image with room lighting conditions comparable to patient treatment scenarios. A solid water phantom irradiated with a 6 MV photon beam was imaged by the cameras to evaluate the maximum frame rate for adequate Cherenkov detection. Adequate detection was defined as an average electron count in the background-subtracted Cherenkov image region of interest in excess of 0.5% (327 counts) of the 16-bit maximum electron count value. Additionally, an ICCD and an EM-ICCD were each used clinically to image two patients undergoing whole-breast radiotherapy to compare clinical advantages and limitations of each system.

RESULTS

Intensifier-coupled cameras were required for imaging Cherenkov emission on the phantom surface with ambient room lighting; standalone CMOS and CCD cameras were not viable. The EM-ICCD was able to collect images from a single Linac pulse delivering less than 0.05 cGy of dose at 30 frames/s (fps) and pixel resolution of 512 × 512, compared to an ICCD which was limited to 4.7 fps at 1024 × 1024 resolution. An intensifier with higher quantum efficiency at the entrance photocathode in the red wavelengths [30% quantum efficiency (QE) vs previous 19%] promises at least 8.6 fps at a resolution of 1024 × 1024 and lower monetary cost than the EM-ICCD.

CONCLUSIONS

The ICCD with an intensifier better optimized for red wavelengths was found to provide the best potential for real-time display (at least 8.6 fps) of radiation dose on the skin during treatment at a resolution of 1024 × 1024.

ACPSEM ROSG TBE working group recommendations for quality assurance in total body electron irradiation

The Australasian College of Physical Scientists and Engineers in Medicine (ACPSEM) Radiation Oncology Specialty Group (ROSG) formed a series of working groups in 2011 to develop recommendations for guidance of radiation oncology medical physics practice within the Australasian setting. These recommendations are intended to provide guidance for safe work practices and a suitable level of quality control without detailed work instructions. It is the responsibility of the medical physicist to ensure that locally available equipment and procedures are sufficiently sensitive to establish compliance to these recommendations. The recommendations are endorsed by the ROSG, and have been subject to independent expert reviews. For the Australian readers, these recommendations should be read in conjunction with the Tripartite Radiation Oncology Reform Implementation Committee Quality Working Group: Radiation Oncology Practice Standards (2011), and Radiation Oncology Practice Standards Supplementary Guide (2011). This publication presents the recommendations of the ACPSEM ROSG Total Body Electron Irradiation Working Group and has been developed in alignment with other international associations. However, these recommendations should be read in conjunction with relevant national, state or territory legislation and local requirements, which take precedence over the ACPSEM recommendations. It is hoped that the users of this and other ACPSEM recommendations will contribute to the development of future versions through the Radiation Oncology Specialty Group of the ACPSEM. This document serves as a guideline for calibration and quality assurance of equipment used for TBE in Australasia.

Radiation Therapy for Cutaneous T-Cell Lymphomas

Radiation therapy is an extraordinarily effective skin-directed therapy for cutaneous T-cell lymphomas. Lymphocytes are extremely sensitive to radiation and a complete response is generally achieved even with low doses. Radiation therapy has several important roles in the management of mycosis fungoides. For the rare patient with unilesional disease, radiation therapy alone is potentially curative. For patients with more advanced cutaneous disease, radiation therapy to local lesions or to the entire skin can effectively palliate symptomatic disease and provide local disease control. Compared with other skin-directed therapies, radiation therapy is particularly advantageous because it can effectively penetrate and treat thicker plaques and tumors.

Dose Optimization in Lumbar Spine Radiographic Examination by Air Gap Method at CR and DR Systems: A Phantom Study

OBJECTIVE

This study aims at investigating the feasibility of replacing an antiscatter grid with an air gap to achieve dose reduction for lumbar spine radiography while retaining image quality at an acceptable diagnostic level.

METHODS

Frontal and lateral projections of lumbar spine radiographic examinations were performed on an anthropomorphic phantom. Nongrid images of both the computed radiography (CR) and digital radiography (DR) systems with air gap thickness ranging from 0 to 25 cm were produced and compared with their corresponding grid images. Dose measurements using thermoluminescent dosimeters at the ovary and testes regions of the phantom were conducted. The image quality of all the images was evaluated by five radiographers using image quality score and visual grading analysis tests. Data on dose measurements and image quality tests were input for statistical analysis. The dose area product (DAP) of all the examinations was recorded and input for the computation of effective doses using a PC-based Monte Carlo program (PCXMC 2.0; STUK, Helsinki, Finland).

RESULTS

Significant dose reduction effects on the ovaries of 60.2%-74.1% and 55.1%-73.3% were found, respectively, at the frontal and lateral projections of nongrid lumbar spine examinations compared with their corresponding grid ones in both the CR and DR systems. Results on the image quality score and visual grading analysis tests showed that nongrid images with 10-cm and 5-cm of air gap thicknesses respective to the frontal and lateral images of the lumbar spine were rated with the highest scores. In general, a dose reduction effect using the air gap method was found to be more pronounced in the CR system compared with the DR system. Nevertheless, the CR system delivered a 2.4-4.5 times higher ovary dose respective to the frontal and lateral projections of lumbar spine examinations compared with the DR system.

CONCLUSIONS

Ten and 5 centimeters were found to be the optimal air gap thicknesses respective to the frontal and lateral lumbar spine radiographic examinations of the tested Rando phantom (Alderson Laboratories, Stamford, CT) in both the CR and DR systems. Significant dose reduction effects on both the ovary and testes regions of the nongrid examinations were shown. The effective dose computed from PCMCX 2.0 reflected that the risk of cancer induction was halved when an antiscatter grid was replaced by the nongrid method with an optimal air gap thickness in the tested examinations. Further reduction on cancer risk could be achieved by using DR instead of the CR system.

Review of the results of the in vivo dosimetry during total skin electron beam therapy

This work reviews results of in vivo dosimetry (IVD) for total skin electron beam (TSEB) therapy, focusing on new methods, data emerged within 2012. All quoted data are based on a careful review of the literature reporting IVD results for patients treated by means of TSEB therapy. Many of the reviewed papers refer mainly to now old studies and/or old guidelines and recommendations (by IAEA, AAPM and EORTC), because (due to intrinsic rareness of TSEB-treated pathologies) only a limited number of works and reports with a large set of numerical data and proper statistical analysis is up-to-day available in scientific literature. Nonetheless, a general summary of the results obtained by the now numerous IVD techniques available is reported; innovative devices and methods, together with areas of possible further and possibly multicenter investigations for TSEB therapies are highlighted.

Helical irradiation of the total skin with dose painting to replace total skin electron beam therapy for therapy-refractory cutaneous CD4+ T-cell lymphoma

A 36-year-old woman was diagnosed with a therapy-refractory cutaneous CD4+ T-cell lymphoma, T3N0M0B0, and stage IIB. Helical irradiation of the total skin (HITS) and dose painting techniques, with 30 Gy in 40 fractions interrupted at 20 fractions with one week resting, 4 times per week were prescribed. The diving suit was dressed whole body to increase the superficial dose and using central core complete block (CCCB) technique for reducing the internal organ dose. The mean doses of critical organs of head, chest, and abdomen were 2.1 to 29.9 Gy, 2.9 to 8.1 Gy, and 3.6 to 15.7 Gy, respectively. The mean dose of lesions was 84.0 cGy. The dosage of left side pretreated area was decreased 57%. The tumor regressed progressively without further noduloplaques. During the HITS procedure, most toxicity was grade I except leukocytopenia with grade 3. No epitheliolysis, phlyctenules, tumor lysis syndrome, fever, vomiting, dyspnea, edema of the extremities, or diarrhea occurred during the treatment. HITS with dose painting techniques provides precise dosage delivery with impressive results, sparing critical organs, and offering limited transient and chronic sequelae for previously locally irradiated, therapy-refractory cutaneous T-cell lymphoma.

Total skin electron therapy in the lying-on-the-floor position using a customized flattening filter to eliminate field junctions

A total skin electron (TSE) floor technique is presented for treating patients who are unable to safely stand for extended durations. A customized flattening filter is used to eliminate the need for field junctioning, improve field uniformity, and reduce setup time. The flattening filter is constructed from copper and polycarbonate, fits into the linac's accessory slot, and is optimized to extend the useful height and width of the beam such that no field junctions are needed during treatment. A TSE floor with flattening filter (TSE FF) treatment course consisted of six patient positions: three supine and three prone. For all treatment fields, electron beam energy was 6 MeV; collimator settings were an x of 30 cm, y of 40 cm, and θcoll of 0°; and a 0.4 cm thick polycarbonate spoiler was positioned in front of the patient. Percent depth dose (PDD) and photon contamination for the TSE FF technique were compared with our standard technique, which is similar to the Stanford technique. Beam profiles were measured using radiochromic film, and dose uniformity was verified using an anthropomorphic radiological phantom. The TSE FF technique met field uniformity requirements specified by the American Association of Physicists in Medicine Task Group 30. TSE FF R80 ranges from 4 to 4.8 mm. TSE FF photon contamination was ~ 3%. Anthropomorphic radiological phantom verification demonstrated that dose to the entire skin surface was expected to be within about ±15% of the prescription dose, except for the perineum, scalp vertex, top of shoulder, and soles of the feet. The TSE floor technique presented herein eliminates field junctioning, is suitable for patients who cannot safely stand during treatment, and provides comparable quality and uniformity to the Stanford technique.

An attempted substitute study of total skin electron therapy technique by using helical photon tomotherapy with helical irradiation of the total skin treatment: a phantom result

An anthropomorphic phantom was used to investigate a treatment technique and analyze the dose distributions for helical irradiation of the total skin (HITS) by helical tomotherapy (HT). Hypothetical bolus of thicknesses of 0, 10, and 15 mm was added around the phantom body to account for the dose homogeneity and setup uncertainty. A central core structure was assigned as a “complete block” to force the dose tangential delivery. HITS technique with prescribed dose (D_p) of 36 Gy in 36 fractions was generated. The radiochromic EBT2 films were used for the dose measurements. The target region with 95.0% of the D_p received by more than 95% of the PTV was obtained. The calculated mean doses for the organs at risk (OARs) were 4.69, 3.10, 3.20, and 2.94 Gy for the lung, heart, liver, and kidneys, respectively. The measurement doses on a phantom surface for a plan with 10 mm hypothetical bolus and bolus thicknesses of 0, 1, 2, and 3 mm are 89.5%, 111.4%, 116.9%, and 117.7% of D_p, respectively. HITS can provide an accurate and uniform treatment dose in the skin with limited doses to OARs and is safe to replace a total skin electron beam regimen.

Total skin electron irradiation techniques: a review

Total skin electron irradiation (TSEI) has been employed as one of the methods of mycosis fungoides treatment since the mid-twentieth century. In order to improve the effects and limit the complications following radiotherapy, a number of varieties of the TSEI method, frequently differing in the implementation mode have been developed. The paper provides a systematic review of the different varieties of TSEI. The discussed differences concerned especially: (i) technological requirements and geometric conditions, (ii) the alignment of the patient, (iii) the number of treatment fields, and (iv) dose fractionation scheme.

A conceptual design of rotating board technique for delivering total skin electron therapy

PURPOSE

This study presents a novel technique in which a uniform radiation dose to the whole body, soles, and scalp vertex can be achieved in one electron beam treatment fraction.

METHODS

The patient was treated at a machine with a home-made rotating board. The patients were treated in two groups in the prone and supine positions by leaning onto an inner rotational board in the prone and supine positions. Each group can further be separated into two subgroups using tilting and rotational positions for treatment.

RESULTS

One of the beams was directed 15.5 degrees upward and 15.5 degrees downward from the horizontal axis to provide a field size of as large as 200 cm in height and 140 cm in width. An incline angle of 31.5 degrees anteriorly (forward) or posteriorly (backward) of the outer frame at an angle rotated 60 degrees clockwise or counterclockwise to the inner frame was found to be most appropriate. The output for the rotating board total skin electron therapy (RB-TSET) was 0.046 cGy/MU at ISD of 350 cm. The beam characteristics of the RB-TSET depth dose curves were R50 = 2.48 cm, dmax = 0.7 cm, E0 = 5.78 MeV, and Rp = 3.4 cm.

CONCLUSIONS

The RB-TSET technique presented in this study is able to deliver a uniform radiation dose to the patient's skin surface, the scalp vertex, and soles of the feet all at one time, eliminating the trouble of having to further irradiate these two regions separately when using the Stanford six field technique.

Recommendations for clinical electron beam dosimetry: supplement to the recommendations of Task Group 25

The goal of Task Group 25 (TG-25) of the Radiation Therapy Committee of the American Association of.Physicists in Medicine (AAPM) was to provide a methodology and set of procedures for a medical physicist performing clinical electron beam dosimetry in the nominal energy range of 5-25 MeV. Specifically, the task group recommended procedures for acquiring basic information required for acceptance testing and treatment planning of new accelerators with therapeutic electron beams. Since the publication of the TG-25 report, significant advances have taken place in the field of electron beam dosimetry, the most significant being that primary standards laboratories around the world have shifted from calibration standards based on exposure or air kerma to standards based on absorbed dose to water. The AAPM has published a new calibration protocol, TG-51, for the calibration of high-energy photon and electron beams. The formalism and dosimetry procedures recommended in this protocol are based on the absorbed dose to water calibration coefficient of an ionization chamber at 60Co energy, N60Co(D,w), together with the theoretical beam quality conversion coefficient k(Q) for the determination of absorbed dose to water in high-energy photon and electron beams. Task Group 70 was charged to reassess and update the recommendations in TG-25 to bring them into alignment with report TG-51 and to recommend new methodologies and procedures that would allow the practicing medical physicist to initiate and continue a high quality program in clinical electron beam dosimetry. This TG-70 report is a supplement to the TG-25 report and enhances the TG-25 report by including new topics and topics that were not covered in depth in the TG-25 report. These topics include procedures for obtaining data to commission a treatment planning computer, determining dose in irregularly shaped electron fields, and commissioning of sophisticated special procedures using high-energy electron beams. The use of radiochromic film for electrons is addressed, and radiographic film that is no longer available has been replaced by film that is available. Realistic stopping-power data are incorporated when appropriate along with enhanced tables of electron fluence data. A larger list of clinical applications of electron beams is included in the full TG-70 report available at http://www.aapm.org/pubs/reports. Descriptions of the techniques in the clinical sections are not exhaustive but do describe key elements of the procedures and how to initiate these programs in the clinic. There have been no major changes since the TG-25 report relating to flatness and symmetry, surface dose, use of thermoluminescent dosimeters or diodes, virtual source position designation, air gap corrections, oblique incidence, or corrections for inhomogeneities. Thus these topics are not addressed in the TG-70 report.

In vivo EBT radiochromic film dosimetry of electron beam for Total Skin Electron Therapy (TSET)

EBT radiochromic films were used to determine skin-dose maps for patients undergone Total Skin Electron Therapy (TSET). Gafchromic EBT radiochromic film is one of the newest radiation-induced auto-developing photon and electron-beam analysis films available for therapeutic radiation dosimetry in radiotherapy applications. EBT films can be particularly useful in TSET; due to patient morphology, underdosed regions typically occur, and the radiochromic film represents a suitable candidate for monitoring them. In this study, TSET was applied to treat cutaneous T-cell lymphoma. The technique for TSET was implemented by using an electron beam with a nominal energy of 6MeV. The patient was treated in a standing position using dual angled fields in order to obtain the greatest dose uniformity along the patient's longitudinal axis. The electron beam energy was degraded by a PMMA filter. The in vivo dose distribution was determined through the use of EBT films, as well as of thermoluminescent dosimeters for comparison (TLDs). EBT results showed a reasonable agreement with TLDs data.

Review of electron beam therapy physics

For over 50 years, electron beams have been an important modality for providing an accurate dose of radiation to superficial cancers and disease and for limiting the dose to underlying normal tissues and structures. This review looks at many of the important contributions of physics and dosimetry to the development and utilization of electron beam therapy, including electron treatment machines, dose specification and calibration, dose measurement, electron transport calculations, treatment and treatment-planning tools, and clinical utilization, including special procedures. Also, future changes in the practice of electron therapy resulting from challenges to its utilization and from potential future technology are discussed.

Monte Carlo techniques for scattering foil design and dosimetry in total skin electron irradiations

Total skin electron irradiation (TSEI) with single fields requires large electron beams having good dose uniformity, dmax at the skin surface, and low bremsstrahlung contamination. To satisfy these requirements, energy degraders and scattering foils have to be specially designed for the given accelerator and treatment room. We used Monte Carlo (MC) techniques based on EGS4 user codes (BEAM, DOSXYZ, and DOSRZ) as a guide in the beam modifier design of our TSEI system. The dosimetric characteristics at the treatment distance of 382 cm source-to-surface distance (SSD) were verified experimentally using a linear array of 47 ion chambers, a parallel plate chamber, and radiochromic film. By matching MC simulations to standard beam measurements at 100 cm SSD, the parameters of the electron beam incident on the vacuum window were determined. Best match was achieved assuming that electrons were monoenergetic at 6.72 MeV, parallel, and distributed in a circular pattern having a Gaussian radial distribution with full width at half maximum = 0.13 cm. These parameters were then used to simulate our TSEI unit with various scattering foils. Two of the foils were fabricated and experimentally evaluated by measuring off-axis dose uniformity and depth doses. A scattering foil, consisting of a 12 x 12 cm2 aluminum plate of 0.6 cm thickness and placed at isocenter perpendicular to the beam direction, was considered optimal. It produced a beam that was flat within +/-3% up to 60 cm off-axis distance, dropped by not more than 8% at a distance of 90 cm, and had an x-ray contamination of <3%. For stationary beams, MC-computed dmax, Rp, and R50 agreed with measurements within 0.5 mm. The MC-predicted surface dose of the rotating phantom was 41% of the dose rate at dmax of the stationary phantom, whereas our calculations based on a semiempirical formula in the literature yielded a drop to 42%. The MC simulations provided the guideline of beam modifier design for TSEI and estimated the dosimetric performance for stationary and rotational irradiations.

Mycosis fungoides: radiation therapy

Radiation therapy is the most effective single agent for the treatment of mycosis fungoides. There are well-defined dose-response relationships for achieving a complete response as well as the durability of this response. Techniques of electron beam therapy have been developed that permit treatment of the entire skin. Total-skin electron beam therapy is an important form of management, especially for patients who have thick generalized plaque or tumorous disease. Radiation therapy may also be used selectively for treatment of extracutaneous disease.

Total skin electron irradiation: evaluation of dose uniformity throughout the skin surface

In this study, in vivo dosimetic data of 67 total skin electron irradiation (TSEI) treatments were analyzed. Thermoluminescent dosimetry (TLD) measurements were made at 10 different body points for every patient. The results demonstrated that the dose inhomogeneity throughout the skin surface is around 15%. The homogeneity was better at the trunk than at the extratrunk points, and was worse when a degrader was used. There was minimal improvement of homogeneity in subsequent days of treatment.

Use of an electron reflector to improve dose uniformity at the vertex during total skin electron therapy

PURPOSE

The vertex of the scalp is always tangentially irradiated during total skin electron therapy (TSET). This study was conducted to determine the dose distribution at the vertex for a commonly used irradiation technique and to evaluate the use of an electron reflector, positioned above the head, as a means of improving the dose uniformity.

METHODS AND MATERIALS

Phantoms, simulating the head of a patient, were irradiated using our standard procedure for TSET. The technique is a six-field irradiation using dual angled electron beams at a treatment distance of 3.6 meters. Vertex dosimetry was performed using ionization methods and film. Measurements were made for an unmodified 6 MeV electron beam and for a 4 MeV beam obtained by placing an acrylic scattering plate in the beam line. Studies were performed to examine the effect of electron scattering on vertex dose when a lead reflector, 50 x 50 cm in area, was positioned above the phantom.

RESULTS

The surface dose at the vertex, in the absence of the reflector, was found to be less than 40% of the prescribed skin dose. Use of the lead reflector increased this value to 73% for the 6 MeV beam and 99% for the degraded 4 MeV beam. Significant improvements in depth dose were also observed. The dose enhancement is not strongly dependent on reflector distance or angulation since the reflector acts as a large source of broadly scattered electrons.

CONCLUSION

The vertex may be significantly underdosed using standard techniques for total skin electron therapy. Use of an electron reflector improves the dose uniformity at the vertex and may reduce or eliminate the need for supplemental irradiation.

TLD dose measurement: a simplified accurate technique for the dose range from 0.5 cGy to 1000 cGy

A simplified TLD technique characterized by high precision and reproducibility of dose measurement is presented. One hundred eighty LiF TLD rods 1 mm diam x 3 mm length as obtained from the manufacturer were annealed for 1 h at 400 degrees C followed immediately by 2 h at 105 degrees C. After exposure to a dose of 1 Gy of 4 MV x rays, TLDs were annealed for 15 min at 105 degrees C, then read out. TLDs were then sorted into five groups, ranging from 26 to 50 rods each with approximately equal sensitivity after correcting for the drift in the sensitivity of the TLD reader during the readout session. Maintaining group identity, the TLDs were again annealed, irradiated and read out. Fewer than 10% of the TLDs were removed from each group because the corrected readings differed from the respective group mean by more than 3.5%. The standard deviation of the readout was approximately 1.5% within each group. The planchet heater was not flushed with nitrogen gas. Various tests were performed to assess the stability of the group sorting technique and the linearity of TLD dose response. After reannealing, five TLDs were randomly drawn from one of the presorted groups, and subjected to various dose of 4 MV radiation over the range from 0.5 to 1000 cGy. This resulted in an average readout standard deviation of 1.2%. Response per unit dose was almost flat over the range from 0.5 cGy to 100 cGy, and increased by 15% over the range from 100 cGy to 1000 cGy. TLD sensitivity was affected by the duration of the anneal, but was virtually independent of the various time delays between irradiation, prereadout anneal, and readout. The group annealing and sorting (GAS) procedure provides a simple, reliable, precise, convenient, and accurate method for TLD measurements.

Entrance and exit dose measurements with semiconductors and thermoluminescent dosemeters: a comparison of methods and in vivo results

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

In order to compare diodes and TLD for in vivo dosimetry, systematic measurements of entrance and exit doses were performed with semiconductor detectors and thermoluminescent dosemeters for brain and head and neck patients treated isocentrically with external photon beam therapy.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Scanditronix EDP-20 diodes and 7LiF thermoluminescent chips, irradiated in a 8 MV linac, were studied with similar build-up cap geometries and materials in order to assure an equivalent electronic equilibrium. Identical calibration methodology was applied to both detectors for the dose determination in clinical conditions.

RESULTS

For the entrance dose evaluation over 249 field measurements, the ratio of the measured dose to the expected dose, calculated from tabulated tissue maximum ratios, was equal to 1.010 +/- 0.028 (1 s.d.) from diodes and 1.013 +/- 0.041 from thermoluminescent crystals. For the exit dose measurements, these ratios were equal to 0.998 +/- 0.049 and 1.016 +/- 0.070 for diodes and TLDs, respectively, after application of a simple inhomogeneity correction to the calculation of the expected exit dose.

CONCLUSIONS

Thermoluminescence and semiconductors led to identical results for entrance and exit dose evaluation but TLDs were characterised by a lower reproducibility inherent to the TL process itself and to the acquisition and annihilation procedures.