WIDE FIELD ELECTRON BEAM IRRADIATION THERAPY IN THE TREATMENT OF SKIN MALIGNANCIES

Abstract

This study aimed to introduce the technique ofTSEB in the treatment of cutaneous T-cell lymphoma and Kaposi's Sarcoma. Physical dosimeteric measurements had been done on Rando-Aldesteron Phantom using six field technique. The dose distribution both at surface and at depths were measured using thermoluminescence dosimetry and film dosimetry. The energy used was 6 Mev from a Varian 1800 linear accelerator.

Between August 1997 and March 2002, three different groups of patients were treated with TSEB or extended electron beam field. The first group included 40 patients with mycosis fungoides who were treated with TSEB at a dose of 3500 cGy/10 weeks. Among this group 31 were males and 9 females. The median age of this group was 50 years. Sixteen (40%), eighteen (45%) and 6 (15%) were in stage IA, IB, IIB respectively. An initial CCR was seen in 87.5% of patients after end of therapy. Patients were followed up for a period of 6-48 months with a median of 19.5 months. Only 11 (27.5%) of patients continued to be free of disease till time of analysis. The remaining 29 (72.5%) patients were salvaged by PUVA (48.25%), spot external electron beam (34.5%) and systemic chemotherapy (17.25%). Seven attended a second remission giving final CCR of 45% (18/40) whereas 37.5% (15/40) of patients were in PR. The