Precision, high dose radiotherapy. II. Helium ion treatment of tumors adjacent to critical central nervous system structures

Journal Article · Mon Jul 01 00:00:00 EDT 1985 · Int. J. Radiat. Oncol., Biol. Phys.; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1016/0360-3016(85)90250-0· OSTI ID:5377772

Saunders, W M; Chen, G T.Y.; Austin-Seymour, M; Castro, J R; Collier, J M; Gauger, G; Gutin, P; Phillips, T L; Pitluck, S; Walton, R E

In this paper, the authors present a technique for treating relatively small, low grade tumors located very close to critical, radiation sensitive central nervous system structures such as the spinal cord and the brain stem. A beam of helium ions is used to irradiate the tumor. The nearby normal tissues are protected by exploiting the superb dose localization properties of this beam, particularly its well defined and controllable range in tissue, the increased dose deposited near the end of this range (i.e., the Bragg peak), the sharp decrease in dose beyond the Bragg peak, and the sharp penumbra of the beam. To illustrate the technique, the authors present a group of 19 patients treated for chordomas, meningiomas and low grade chondrosarcomas in the base of the skull or spinal column. They have been able to deliver high, uniform doses to the target volumes, while keeping the doses to the nearby critical tissues below the threshold for radiation damage. Follow-up on this group of patients is short, averaging 22 months (2 to 75 months). Currently, 15 patients have local control of their tumor. Two major complications, a spinal cord transsection and optic tract damage, are discussed in detail. Their treatment policies have been modified to minimize the risk of these complications in the future, and they are continuing to use this method to treat such patients.

• Research Organization: Univ. of California, San Francisco
• DOE Contract Number: AC03-76SF00098
• OSTI ID: 5377772
• Journal Information: Int. J. Radiat. Oncol., Biol. Phys.; (United States), Vol. 11:7
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

62 RADIOLOGY AND NUCLEAR MEDICINE
63 RADIATION, THERMAL, AND OTHER ENVIRON. POLLUTANT EFFECTS ON LIVING ORGS. AND BIOL. MAT.
BRAIN
BIOLOGICAL RADIATION EFFECTS
NEOPLASMS
RADIOTHERAPY
SIDE EFFECTS
SPINAL CORD
HELIUM
ION BEAMS
PATIENTS
SARCOMAS
SKULL
VERTEBRAE
BEAMS
BIOLOGICAL EFFECTS
BODY
CENTRAL NERVOUS SYSTEM
DISEASES
ELEMENTS
FLUIDS
GASES
MEDICINE
NERVOUS SYSTEM
NONMETALS
NUCLEAR MEDICINE
ORGANS
RADIATION EFFECTS
RADIOLOGY
RARE GASES
SKELETON
THERAPY
550603* - Medicine- External Radiation in Therapy- (1980-)
560151 - Radiation Effects on Animals- Man