title: An intracavitary cone system for electron beam therapy using a Therac 20 linear accelerator.
abstract: The Therac 20 is an AECL medical linear accelerator that produces electron and photon beams. Electron fields are produced by a scanned beam; collimation is provided by two sets of primary collimators and further collimated by external electron trimmers located 11 cm above the plane of isocenter (100 cm). These collimators are not suitable for intracavitary treatment. To overcome this limitation, we have designed an intracavitary cone system that attaches to the electron trimmers. Since the trimmers do not have to be removed while this system is in use, there is no need to bypass the associated interlock system. The apparatus consists of a platform which slides onto the lower set of trimmers, onto which a lead insert is attached. Dosimetry measurements for 9, 13, and 17 MeV electron beams are reported for three different treatment cones.
mesh_terms: D006801:Humans; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000532:radiotherapy; D010315:Particle Accelerators; D011878:Radiotherapy / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods; D011879:Radiotherapy Dosage