Eye sparing in high energy X ray beams

Int J Radiat Oncol Biol Phys. 1985 Mar;11(3):591-5. doi: 10.1016/0360-3016(85)90193-2.

Abstract

Treatment of cancer of the antrum and nasopharynx often includes the radiation of tissues close to an uninvolved eye. One treatment method consists of using an anterior high energy X ray beam directed to the tumor through the eye. To maintain a high dose adjacent to and behind the eye while reducing the entrance dose to the eye, build-up material is placed on the skin and a tunnel cut through to the eye. When the build-up material is tissue-like, the tunnel can be several centimeters in height and scattered radiation from the tunnel walls will largely offset the build-up properties of the beam. Using higher density build-up material, the dose to the superficial layers of the eye can be reduced almost to the limit set by the open beam characteristics. This technique has been used successfully for 8 years.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Eye / radiation effects*
  • Humans
  • Maxillary Sinus Neoplasms / radiotherapy*
  • Nasopharyngeal Neoplasms / radiotherapy*
  • Paranasal Sinus Neoplasms / radiotherapy*
  • Radiation Protection / methods*
  • Radiotherapy, High-Energy / methods