Open AccessTotal body irradiation with a reconditioned cobalt teletherapy unit
Author(s) -
Evans Michael D.C.,
Larouche RenéeXavière,
Olivares Marina,
Léger Pierre,
Larkin Joe,
Freeman Carolyn R.,
Podgorsak Ervin B.
Publication year - 2006
Publication title -
journal of applied clinical medical physics
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.83
H-Index - 48
ISSN - 1526-9914
DOI - 10.1120/jacmp.v7i1.2175
Subject(s) - cobalt 60 , irradiation , cobalt , radiochemistry , unit (ring theory) , nuclear medicine , materials science , physics , mathematics , chemistry , medicine , nuclear physics , mathematics education , metallurgy
While the current trend in radiotherapy is to replace cobalt teletherapy units with more versatile and technologically advanced linear accelerators, there remain some useful applications for older cobalt units. The expansion of our radiotherapy department involved the decommissioning of an isocentric cobalt teletherapy unit and the replacement of a column‐mounted 4‐MV LINAC that has been used for total body irradiation (TBI). To continue offering TBI treatments, we converted the decommissioned cobalt unit into a dedicated fixed‐field total body irradiator and installed it in an existing medium‐energy LINAC bunker. This article describes the logistical and dosimetric aspects of bringing a reconditioned cobalt teletherapy unit into clinical service as a total body irradiator. PACS numbers: 87.53.Dq, 87.53.Mr