Scattered doses to different parts of cancer patients during radiotherapy treatment in Nigeria.
The doses over various parts of the body of 7 patients with cancers of the pharynx, breast and cervix during radiotherapy treatment with a megavoltage 60Co therapy machine were measured using LiF TL dosemeters. The doses on the surface of the patients outside the primary beam were found to vary with a maximum of 366 mGy at the abdomen of a cervix cancer patient to a minimum value of 1.1 mGy at the left arm and left leg of a pharynx cancer patient. The observed variations in the doses were attributed to the difference in patients' tumour location, exposure and anatomy. In the treatment of pregnant women and women of childbearing age, the results presented will be a good starting point for estimation of fetus doses and doses to organs outside the planning region.
Ogundare
F O
FO
Department of Physics, University of Ibadan, Nigeria. ogun_dare@yahoo.com
Ademola
J A
JA
D003037:Cobalt Radioisotopes / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000532:radiotherapy*; D009549:Nigeria; D019047:Phantoms, Imaging; D011867:Radioisotope Teletherapy / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000379:methods; D011879:Radiotherapy Dosage
D003037:Cobalt Radioisotopes