Comparative study of superficial whole-body radiotherapeutic techniques using a 4-MeV nonangulated electron beam.

Various whole-body, multiple-field, electron-beam therapy techniques are analyzed. Accelerator characteristics, various dosimetric techniques, and experimental setup are described. A flattening filter was constructed which produced an uncollimated electron-beam profile (4 MeV) with a uniformity of +/- 8% across a 200-cm diameter area at 7 m from the source. Irradiation techniques include 2-, 4-, 6-, and 8-field therapy and rotation. Conclusive evidence is presented to support adoption of either the 8-field technique or rotation as the methods of choice for superficial whole-body treatments.