This topic section relates to the advice given to patients, during and after a course of superficial radiotherapy.
X-Rays of this energy range deposit their maximum dose either at the skin surface or up to 20 mm below the skin surface; (see physics), consequently radiation skin reactions for patients undergoing superficial therapy can be severe, depending upon the daily dose, fractionation schedule and total prescribed dose [1]. It is therefore essential that patients are adequately advised and supervised, in terms of these reactions.
Most radiotherapy departments in the UK utilise the broad photon energy spectrum 30 kV, 50 kV, 100 kV, 150 kV and 220 kV for treatment of:
