THE PRESENT STATUS OF SUPERVOLTAGE RADIATION THERAPY

Journal Article · Thu Nov 01 04:00:00 EST 1962 · Postgraduate Medicine (U.S.)

OSTI ID:4663083

Carpender, J W.J.; Chang, T C

The relative advantages of supervoltage (>1 Mev) over orthovoltage (<1 Mev) therapy are discussed. Employment of higher voltage devices is not advocated with the expectation that the ionizing radiation they produce is more effective against cancer cells than 250-kv x rays. On the contrary, the reverse is true and, for a given physical dose, 250-kv x rays are more effective than those produced at significantly higher voltages. Their advantages on 5 specific phenomena are: depth dose; so-called skin sparing; so-called bone sparing; relative absorption in air-containing lung; and the general sense of well-being experienced by patients having super-voltage radiation therapy. It is suggested that the true value of supervoltage is approximates 90%, and it is recommended that physical doses of supervoltage radiation approximates 10% larger than those calculated for orthovoltage be given. Supervoltage frequently allows treatment through a singie large port in cases where orthovoltage wouid require cross- firing through multiple small ports. Large single ports simplify the planning and execution of irradiation and are particularly useful when the objective is palliation. At supervoltages, bone and soft tissue absorb radiation equally, thus overcoming both disadvantages of orthovoltage. It was concluded that although supervoltage involves risks, they can be guarded against, and although its advantages are small they are, nevertheless, worthwhile. (TCO)

• Research Organization: Univ. of Chicago and Radiation Therapy Training Center, Taiwan, China
• NSA Number: NSA-17-027003
• OSTI ID: 4663083
• Journal Information: Postgraduate Medicine (U.S.), Journal Name: Postgraduate Medicine (U.S.) Vol. Vol: 32; ISSN POMDA
• Country of Publication: Country unknown/Code not available
• Language: English

Related Subjects

ABSORPTION
ANIMAL CELLS
BIOLOGY AND MEDICINE
BONES
CANCER
LUNGS
RADIATION DOSES
RADIOTHERAPY
SKIN
STANDARDS
SUPERVOLTAGE RADIOTHERAPY
TISSUES
X RADIATION