Computerized tomography scanning and the planning of high-dose radiotherapy for pleural mesothelioma: a report of five patients

Journal Article · Mon Jun 01 04:00:00 EDT 1981 · Int. J. Radiat. Oncol., Biol. Phys.; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1016/0360-3016(81)90481-8· OSTI ID:6341561

Bricout, P B; Engler, M J

A lung-sparing external beam irradiation technique for treatment of pleural mesothelioma is discussed, with clinical parameters determined from computerized tomography (CT) scans and orthogonal chest radiographs. Parallel opposed, C-shaped fields of 42 MV photon beams from a betatron are used for coverage of apical, mediastinal and diaphragmatic pleura; eccentrically arcing photon beams (shell fields) irradiate the parietal pleura. Angle of eccentricity of the shell field is obtained graphically from the desired field width and untreated inner radius. Wedges are used to improve the uniformity of dose. Measured isodose distributions of the shell technique are presented. For therapy machines unable to rotate around their sources, the use of blocking to create the shell field is described. The value of CT as an aid in staging and radiotherapeutic treatment planning of pleural mesothelioma is illustrated. Five patients, four with advanced disease, have been treated for palliation. One patient has responded well.

• Research Organization: Univ. Hospital, Boston, MA
• OSTI ID: 6341561
• Journal Information: Int. J. Radiat. Oncol., Biol. Phys.; (United States), Journal Name: Int. J. Radiat. Oncol., Biol. Phys.; (United States) Vol. 7:6; ISSN IOBPD
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

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62 RADIOLOGY AND NUCLEAR MEDICINE
63 RADIATION, THERMAL, AND OTHER ENVIRON. POLLUTANT EFFECTS ON LIVING ORGS. AND BIOL. MAT.
BEAMS
BIOLOGICAL EFFECTS
BIOLOGICAL RADIATION EFFECTS
BIOMEDICAL RADIOGRAPHY
BODY
BODY AREAS
CHEST
COMPUTERIZED TOMOGRAPHY
DIAGNOSTIC TECHNIQUES
DISEASES
DOSES
FRACTIONATED IRRADIATION
IRRADIATION
LUNGS
MEDICINE
MEMBRANES
NEOPLASMS
NUCLEAR MEDICINE
ORGANS
PATIENTS
PHOTON BEAMS
PLANNING
PLEURA
RADIATION DOSES
RADIATION EFFECTS
RADIOLOGY
RADIOTHERAPY
RESPIRATORY SYSTEM
SEROUS MEMBRANES
THERAPY
TOMOGRAPHY