PHYSICAL ASPECTS OF HIGH ENERGY ELECTRON THERAPY

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Abstract
High energy electrons have been used for cancer therapy since 1950, and clinical reports appear to confirm the utility of their advantageous physical features. A brief historic review of the treatment of electron dosimetry problems has included the development of methods of absorbed dose measurement. Intercomparison between centers have maintained dosage uniformity, and these procedures are now formalized in a published protocol. A major objective has been the achievement of realism on treatment planning. This necessitated phantom development so that measurement could be made of the influence on dose distributions by the inhomogeneous structure of the irradiated region. A system of treatment planning was developed which incorporated a procedure for correction of inhomogeneous absorption. The application of this system over the past decade has increased with greater availability of anatomic detail on individual cases. The physical bases of electron beam therapy, including dosimetry and physical aspects of treatment planning, are well established.