title: A modified technique for craniospinal irradiation in children designed to reduce acute and late radiation toxicity.
abstract: Craniospinal irradiation is an important technique for the treatment of a number of paediatric malignancies. The conventional technique uses photons for all fields and does not exploit the benefits of CT and computer planning systems. The present paper describes a modification of the conventional technique in which both photons and electrons are used for the spinal field (mixed-beam technique). Computed tomography images and a planning computer are used for the selection of field junctions, electron beam energy and dosimetry. The intention of the technique is to reduce radiotherapy toxicity. A discussion of the potential benefits is presented.
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiation Oncology, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. Claire.Phillips@petermac.org
authors.forename: Claire
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Phillips
authors.forename: David
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Willis
authors.forename: Jim
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Cramb
authors.forename: Franc
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Chicas-Angulo
authors.forename: Maree
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Sexton
mesh_terms: D001932:Brain Neoplasms / Q000532:radiotherapy*; D002648:Child; D004583:Electrons; D006801:Humans; D017785:Photons; D011878:Radiotherapy / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods*; D011880:Radiotherapy Planning, Computer-Assisted; D013120:Spinal Cord Neoplasms / Q000532:radiotherapy*; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed