[Whole body computer tomography in the planning and follow-up of radiation therapy (author's transl)].

Whole body computer tomography provides accurate transverse sections of the areas to be irradiated in the position used for irradiation. The method has been used in 167 patients with malignant tumours in various parts of the body on a routine basis. Actual-size cuts allowed accurate delineation of the tumour or of the area to be irradiated with its neighbouring organs in 135 patients; in 66 patients CT scanning probided additional information regarding the extent of the tumour. Follow-up examinations carried out in 29 patients proved effective in showing the results of treatment. The introduction of the whole body scanner into radiation therapy has improbed radiation planning when compared with conventional methods because of the more accurate delineation of the area to be irradiated and of the surrounding organs.