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Title: Modification of a Superficial X-Ray Therapy Machine for Rectal Contact Therapy

Abstract

X-ray therapy of superficial rectal cancers using a hand-held 50 kV contact unit (Philips RT-50) in a technique first described by Papillon had reached a point of widening clinical acceptability when the manufacturer of this equipment discontinued its production. To pursue this endocavitary approach to rectal therapy, technical modifications have to be made to conventional superficial x-ray therapy machines. Advantages over the original Papillon method include remote viewing of the lesion through the proctoscopic cone and a lower radiation exposure for the operator. We have evaluated a Bucky Combination Therapy Unit under conditions in which the operating voltage (65 kV), target skin distance (23.6 cm), and added filtration (0.39 mm Al) were selected in order to match as closely as possible the beam penetration characteristics of the “standard” (Papillon) technique. With this equipment, the thermal characteristics of the tube anode and housing limit the amount of radiation that can be delivered before a “rest period” for the machine is needed. In practice, 3 minutes of irradiation at an exposure rate of 500 R/min can be performed followed by an interval of 3 minutes before irradiation can be resumed.

Authors:
;
Publication Date:
OSTI Identifier:
22577828
Resource Type:
Journal Article
Journal Name:
Medical Dosimetry
Additional Journal Information:
Journal Volume: 19; Journal Issue: 1; Other Information: Copyright (c) 1994 Elsevier Science B.V., Amsterdam, The Netherlands, All rights reserved.; Country of input: International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA); Journal ID: ISSN 0958-3947
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English
Subject:
61 RADIATION PROTECTION AND DOSIMETRY; 62 RADIOLOGY AND NUCLEAR MEDICINE; ANODES; ELECTRIC POTENTIAL; IRRADIATION; NEOPLASMS; RADIOTHERAPY; RECTUM; SKIN

Citation Formats

Barish, Robert J., and Donohue, Karen Episcopia. Modification of a Superficial X-Ray Therapy Machine for Rectal Contact Therapy. United States: N. p., 2015. Web. doi:10.1016/0958-3947(94)90026-4.
Barish, Robert J., & Donohue, Karen Episcopia. Modification of a Superficial X-Ray Therapy Machine for Rectal Contact Therapy. United States. https://doi.org/10.1016/0958-3947(94)90026-4
Barish, Robert J., and Donohue, Karen Episcopia. 2015. "Modification of a Superficial X-Ray Therapy Machine for Rectal Contact Therapy". United States. https://doi.org/10.1016/0958-3947(94)90026-4.
@article{osti_22577828,
title = {Modification of a Superficial X-Ray Therapy Machine for Rectal Contact Therapy},
author = {Barish, Robert J. and Donohue, Karen Episcopia},
abstractNote = {X-ray therapy of superficial rectal cancers using a hand-held 50 kV contact unit (Philips RT-50) in a technique first described by Papillon had reached a point of widening clinical acceptability when the manufacturer of this equipment discontinued its production. To pursue this endocavitary approach to rectal therapy, technical modifications have to be made to conventional superficial x-ray therapy machines. Advantages over the original Papillon method include remote viewing of the lesion through the proctoscopic cone and a lower radiation exposure for the operator. We have evaluated a Bucky Combination Therapy Unit under conditions in which the operating voltage (65 kV), target skin distance (23.6 cm), and added filtration (0.39 mm Al) were selected in order to match as closely as possible the beam penetration characteristics of the “standard” (Papillon) technique. With this equipment, the thermal characteristics of the tube anode and housing limit the amount of radiation that can be delivered before a “rest period” for the machine is needed. In practice, 3 minutes of irradiation at an exposure rate of 500 R/min can be performed followed by an interval of 3 minutes before irradiation can be resumed.},
doi = {10.1016/0958-3947(94)90026-4},
url = {https://www.osti.gov/biblio/22577828}, journal = {Medical Dosimetry},
issn = {0958-3947},
number = 1,
volume = 19,
place = {United States},
year = {Thu Jan 15 00:00:00 EST 2015},
month = {Thu Jan 15 00:00:00 EST 2015}
}