The technique of total body irradiation applied at the leszczyński memorial hospital

Abstract

Purpose

To improve the reproducibility of patient positioning in fractionated irradiation and to achieve uniform irradiation of the patient, within 12–15Gy, excluding the lungs.

Method

Two special body frames were manufactured, one for treatment planning and the other for the treatment itself. Special tin markers were inserted in the walls to make it possible for a patient to maintain the same position during each fraction of irradiation. Patient treatment was carried out in six fractions (four lateral and two AP/PA fields), twice a day, over three consecutive days. The lungs were shielded during AP/PA fractions and during one lateral fraction. The shape of the shields for AP/PA fields was determined with the use of computer tomography scans, and for lateral fields on the basis of radiographic pictures taken by a simulator. The doses calculated at some selected anatomical points for every patient were checked by in vivo measurements which were carried out by means of MOSFET detectors.

Results and conclusions

Reproducibility of patient positioning during consecutive treatments and a uniform total dose distribution over the range of 12 – 15 Gy (except in the lungs) have been achieved. This has been confirmed by in vivo measurements.