title: Spinal cord dose is higher than expected in head and neck radiation.
abstract: Myelopathy is a feared consequence of radiation therapy. Risk factors are multifocal; therefore, total dose calculation is crucial. We evaluated the contribution of scatter radiation to obtain an accurate cumulative spinal cord dose. Twenty patients undergoing three field head and neck radiation by Cobalt or 6 MV Linac had a total cord dose calculated from direct and scatter radiation. The cord was removed from the radiation field at tumor doses no higher than 4,400 cGy. Total tumor dose ranged from 5,400-7,400 cGy (mean 6060). All patients achieved the prescribed dose and none were lost to follow up (mean 36 months). It was found that scatter radiation can contribute as much as 20% extra dose to the spinal cord. Mean extra dose was 9% (range 1%-20%). This additional dose ranged from 52-810 cGy (mean 339 cGy). No apparent difference was seen with Cobalt or Linac source. Our conclusion was that significant additional dose is delivered to the spinal cord by scatter radiation and that scatter may contribute more to the development of myelopathy than previously believed.
authors.affiliation: State University of New York at Buffalo 14203, USA.
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Allison
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Vaughan
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Thurber
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Rajecki
authors.forename: V
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Vongtama
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Barry
mesh_terms: D003037:Cobalt Radioisotopes / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006258:Head and Neck Neoplasms / Q000532:radiotherapy*; D006801:Humans; D007822:Laryngeal Neoplasms / Q000532:radiotherapy; D009062:Mouth Neoplasms / Q000532:radiotherapy; D010315:Particle Accelerators; D010610:Pharyngeal Neoplasms / Q000532:radiotherapy; D011832:Radiation Injuries / Q000209:etiology; D011835:Radiation Protection / Q000295:instrumentation; D011874:Radiometry; D019275:Radiopharmaceuticals / Q000627:therapeutic use; D011879:Radiotherapy Dosage; D012307:Risk Factors; D012542:Scattering, Radiation; D013116:Spinal Cord / Q000528:radiation effects*; D013118:Spinal Cord Diseases / Q000209:etiology
chemical_list: D003037:Cobalt Radioisotopes; D019275:Radiopharmaceuticals