200: Radiotherapy Flashcards
What factors influence the selection of radiation modalities for treatment?
The selection is based on the following factors:
- Location of the tumor
- Size of the tumor
- Tumor biology
- Nature of critical surrounding structures
- Availability of treatment options
What are the characteristics and applications of Orthovoltage X-rays?
Characteristics of Orthovoltage X-rays:
- Lower-energy photons
- Range: 125 to 400 kilovolts
- Dose at the skin surface is maximized
- Attenuation occurs as the beam penetrates deeper
- Half of the incident energy is absorbed within the first few centimeters
- Most appropriate for very superficial tumors
- Easier to install in medical offices due to small size
Applications:
- Commonly used in dermatologic applications
What is the role of bolus in external beam radiation therapy?
The bolus serves several important functions:
- Tissue-density material used in radiation treatment of superficial skin malignancies.
- Custom designed in varying thicknesses to match the patient’s skin during treatment.
- Can raise the skin dose to therapeutic levels.
- Can attenuate the incident beam to lower the dose reaching deeper structures.
- Helps to compensate for complex topography and smooth the dose distribution for treatment around the nose and ears.
How does charged particle therapy differ from traditional photon therapy?
Differences between charged particle therapy and traditional photon therapy:
Aspect | Charged Particle Therapy | Traditional Photon Therapy |
|—————————|——————————————–|———————————–|
| Types | Electrons and protons | Photons |
| Dose Distribution | High skin-surface dose, rapid fall-off at depth | Dose delivered more uniformly |
| Side Scatter | Little side scatter due to large mass of protons | More side scatter |
| Cost | Generally more expensive | Less expensive |
| Availability | Limited to specialized centers | Widely available |
What mechanisms are involved in the emission of γ-rays and X-rays?
The mechanisms of emission are:
- γ-rays: Emitted by nuclear reactions.
- X-rays: Emitted by energy transitions in orbital electrons.
A patient presents with a superficial skin tumor. Which radiation modality would be most appropriate, and why?
Orthovoltage X-rays are most appropriate for very superficial tumors because they maximize the dose at the skin surface and attenuate as the beam penetrates deeper.
A patient with a deep-seated tumor requires radiation therapy. Would you recommend higher or lower energy beams, and why?
Higher energy beams are recommended because they deliver increased doses at depth in tissue while sparing the skin surface.
A patient undergoing radiation therapy for a skin cancer on the temple is concerned about brain exposure. What technique can be used to minimize this risk?
A bolus can be used to attenuate the incident beam, lowering the dose that reaches deeper structures like the brain.
What is the purpose of the bolus in radiation therapy?
The bolus is used to raise the skin dose to therapeutic levels and to attenuate the incident beam, lowering the dose that reaches deeper structures.
What is the purpose of the multileaf collimator (MLC) in radiation therapy?
The MLC contains sliding leaves of tungsten that conform to the desired treatment aperture, shaping the megavoltage treatment beams.
Why is electron-beam radiation chosen for cutaneous malignancy treatment?
Electron-beam radiation is chosen because it delivers a high skin-surface dose and the deposited dose rapidly falls to negligible values at depth in tissue.
What is the energy range of orthovoltage X-rays?
The energy range of orthovoltage X-rays is 125 to 400 kilovolts.
What is the energy range of grenz rays?
The energy range of grenz rays is 5 to 15 kilovolts.
What is the advantage of proton therapy?
The advantage of proton therapy is that the dose is largely delivered within a few millimeters of the end of the particle range (the Bragg peak), with little side scatter.
What is the primary use of Orthovoltage X-rays in radiation therapy?
Orthovoltage X-rays are primarily used for:
- Dermatologic applications
- Treating very superficial tumors
- Maximizing the dose at the skin surface while attenuating as the beam penetrates deeper.
How do Grenz rays differ from Orthovoltage X-rays in terms of their application?
Grenz rays are used for:
- Even lower-energy X-rays (5 to 15 kilovolts)
- Depositing dose at shallower depths (within 1 mm of the skin surface)
- Previously used for treating superficial benign skin disease, but are no longer recommended as first-line therapy for routine treatment of benign cutaneous disease.
What are the advantages of using charged particle therapy over traditional photon therapy?
Advantages of charged particle therapy include:
- Higher skin-surface dose delivered by electrons
- Less side scatter during proton therapy due to the proton’s large mass
- Bragg peak effect allows for precise dose delivery at specific depths, minimizing exposure to surrounding tissues.
What is the purpose of using a bolus in external beam radiation therapy?
The bolus serves several purposes:
- Raises the skin dose to therapeutic levels
- Attenuates the incident beam to lower the dose reaching deeper structures
- Compensates for complex topography and smooths dose distribution for treatment of skin around areas like the nose and ears.
How can blocking be utilized in megavoltage treatment beams?
Blocking can be utilized by:
- Shaping treatment beams with custom-designed lead alloy blocks
- Using a multileaf collimator (MLC) to conform to the desired treatment aperture
- Blocking electron-beam radiation with custom-made lead or lead alloy blocks.
What is the mechanism of action for gamma rays and X-rays in radiation therapy?
The mechanisms of action are:
- Gamma rays are emitted by nuclear reactions.
- X-rays are emitted by energy transitions in orbital electrons.
What is the significance of the Bragg peak in proton therapy?
The Bragg peak is significant because:
- It allows for precise dose delivery at a specific depth, minimizing damage to surrounding healthy tissues.
- The dose is largely delivered within a few millimeters of the end of the particle range, making it effective for targeting tumors while sparing deeper structures.
What are the characteristics of higher energy beams compared to lower energy radiation in terms of dose delivery?
Characteristics include:
Energy Type | Dose Delivery Characteristics |
|———————|——————————————————-|
| Higher Energy Beams | Increased doses at depth in tissue, skin sparing, megavoltage range (6-18mV) |
| Lower Energy Radiation | Deposits dose at the target surface, spares deep tissue, kilovoltage range, used for superficial radiation therapy for cutaneous targets |
What are the clinical implications of using electrons in dermatologic applications?
The clinical implications include:
- High skin-surface dose delivery, which is beneficial for treating superficial skin malignancies.
- The deposited dose rapidly falls to negligible values at depth, reducing exposure to deeper tissues.
What is ionizing radiation and how does it affect tissue?
Ionizing radiation is part of the electromagnetic spectrum that imparts energy to target tissue by ejecting orbital electrons. It primarily affects water molecules, generating short-lived free radicals like hydroxyl radicals. The effectiveness of radiation in tissue depends on the availability of oxygen, and higher doses are used in postoperative settings where microcirculation is diminished.