Use of electrons for radiation therapy in France.
The development of high energy radiotherapy equipments in France between 1950 and 1990 is analyzed. The use of betatrons after a growth between 1960-1970 decreased progressively from 1975 in favour of linear accelerators (133 in 1989). Cobalt-therapy, rapidly grown up between 1960 and 1980, has reached a plateau phase with a trend to being progressively substituted by low energy linac. The dosimetric aspects are considered: calibration of electron beams, quality control and treatment planning. About 22000 cancer patients were treated in 16 Centres in 1983; of these only 23% (mean value) received electron therapy, but the number varies greatly from one center to another (9-45%). The major indications for electrons in France are: neck nodes, operated breast, internal mammary chain. The general trend is to restrict their use to lesions not deeper than 4-5 cm and first of all to employ them as a boosting treatment, after an X ray irradiation.
Rosenwald
J C
JC
Service de Physique Médicale, Institut Curie, Paris.
Aletti
P
P
Bey
P
P
D004583:Electrons; D005602:France; D006801:Humans; D010315:Particle Accelerators / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D011874:Radiometry; D011878:Radiotherapy / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*