Some physical considerations in whole skin electron beam therapy

Abstract

The short range of low‐energy electrons has made them suitable for the treatment of skin lesions, especially when extensive areas must be irradiated with special considerations to save the normal underlying tissue. This report covers some salient features of total body electron irradiation—the construction of the large fields required, x‐ray contamination levels, and multiple‐field techniques. While the investigation is essentially experimental, we also indicate the results of calculations. We conclude most generally that treatment planning with whole skin irradiations can be as precise as with smaller fields.