title: An analysis of the elements essential in the development of a customized TBI program.
abstract: Bone marrow transplant, once a procedure carried out at a relatively small number of large medical centers, is being employed at an increasing number of non-academic hospitals. The use of total body photon irradiation for the purpose of marrow ablation and immunosuppression can be expected to accompany the outward growth of bone marrow transplantation at these same hospitals. An analysis of the fundamental physical factors associated with total body photon irradiation (TBI) should be of value to facilities considering the incorporation of a total body irradiation program into an existing radiation oncology department. By examining the existing resources of a radiotherapy center and the clinical objectives of the treatment, a facility considering TBI may determine whether or not their center already fulfills the necessary criteria, in addition to the avoidance of potential pitfalls in project implementation.
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha 68198, USA.
authors.forename: C L
authors.initials: CL
authors.lastname: Smith
authors.forename: W K
authors.initials: WK
authors.lastname: Chu
authors.forename: M R
authors.initials: MR
authors.lastname: Goede
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Granville
authors.forename: G V
authors.initials: GV
authors.lastname: Dalrymple
mesh_terms: D016465:Bone Marrow Purging; D016026:Bone Marrow Transplantation; D006283:Health Physics; D006801:Humans; D007165:Immunosuppression Therapy; D010347:Patient Care Planning; D019047:Phantoms, Imaging; D017785:Photons; D018787:Radiation Oncology; D011835:Radiation Protection; D011872:Radiology Department, Hospital; D011879:Radiotherapy Dosage; D011882:Radiotherapy, High-Energy; D013819:Thermoluminescent Dosimetry; D014916:Whole-Body Irradiation