Electron therapy
| Electron therapy | |
|---|---|
| ICD-9 | 92.25 |
Electron therapy or electron beam therapy (EBT) is a kind of
tumor
site for medical treatment of cancer.
Equipment
Electron beam therapy is performed using a medical
linear accelerator. The same device can also be used to produce high energy photon beams. When electrons are required, the x-ray target is retracted out of the beam and the electron beam is collimated
with a piece of apparatus known as an applicator or an additional collimating insert, constructed from a low melting point alloy.
Properties
Electron beams have a finite range, after which dose falls off rapidly. Therefore, they spare deeper healthy tissue. The depth of the treatment is selected by the appropriate energy. Unlike photon beams there is no surface sparing effect, so electron therapy is used when the target extends to the patient's skin.
Indications
Electron beam therapy is used in the treatment of superficial tumors like cancer of skin regions, or total skin (e.g.
intraoperative electron radiation therapy
might be applied.
See also
References
- Eric E. Klein: "Electron-Beam Therapy: Dosimetry, Planning, and Techniques" in: Edward C. Halperin, Carlos A. Perez, Luther W. Brady (ed.): Perez and Brady's Principles and Practice of Radiation Oncology, 5th. edition, 2008
| Authority control databases: National |
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