ELECTRON BEAM THERAPY

DR ABANI KANTA NANDA

1sr YEAR PG STUDENT
DEPT. OF RADIOTHERAPY
AHRCC, CUTTACK
Introduction

Electron Beam Therapy (EBT) is a kind of external beam

radiotherapy where electrons are directed to a tumour site.

Megavoltage electron beams represent an important

treatment modality in modern radiotherapy, often
providing a unique option in the treatment of superficial
Tumours

Clinically useful energies are between 6 and 20-MeV

'vVhy Electrons?

□ Delivers a reasonably uniform dose from the

surface to a specific depth , after which dose falls
off rapidly, eventually to a near-zero value.

D Using electron beams allows disease within

approximately 6 cm of the surface to be treated
effectively, sparing deeper normal tissues.
Electron Interactions with matter
As electrons travel through a medium , they interact
with atoms by a variety of processes owing to Coulomb
force interactions.

The processes are .... ......

(a) inelastic collisions with atomic electrons

( ionization and excitation),
(a) inelastic collisions with nuclei ( bremsstrahlung )

(b) elastic collisions with atomic electrons, and

(d) elastic collisions with nuclei

 Electron beam characteristics

► Major attraction of the electron beam irradiation is the shape

of the depth dose curve.

► Region of more or less uniform dose followed by a rapid

drop off of dose offers a distinct clinical advantage over the
conventional x-ray modalities.

► The depth in centimetres at which electrons deliver a dose

to the 80% to 90% isodose level.

► Most useful treatment depth , or therapeutic range, of

electrons is given by the depth of the 90°;0 depth dose. ·
 Clinical Utilit
Electron beams have been successfully used in
numerous sites that are within 6 cm of the surface

•Cancer of skin regions, or total skin (e.g. Mycosis fungoids)

•Diseases of the limb (e.g. melanoma and lymphoma),

nodal i rradiation{Neck Node Boost)

•It may also be used to boost the radiation dose to the

surgical bed after mastectomy or lumpectomy.

•For deeper regions intraoperative electron radiation

therapy can be applied.