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Program Information

Electron Radiotherapy, Past, Present, and Future


J Antolak

K Hogstrom


J Antolak1*, K Hogstrom2*, (1) Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, (2) Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, LA

TH-A-500-1 Thursday 8:00AM - 10:00AM Room: 500 Ballroom

Electron beams have been used for treating cancer patients for many years. However, with IMRT, IGRT, proton therapy, and new brachytherapy techniques coming to the forefront, does electron beam therapy still have a role in today’s clinics? The physics of electron beam radiotherapy is fairly well understood, but it remains an underutilized modality at most facilities. After starting with a historical overview to provide an appropriate perspective, the session will discuss current technology for generating electron beams and measuring their dose distributions. General principles for planning electron radiotherapy, including both established and new techniques will be a significant focus. The use of electron beams in special procedures, such as total skin electron irradiation and intraoperative treatments, will be be discussed. Treatment planning requires accurate dose calculations, so dose calculation methodologies will be reviewed. Finally, we will briefly share our vision of the future of electron radiotherapy.

Learning Objectives:
1. learn about the history of electron radiotherapy that is relevant to current practice.
2. understand current technology for generating electron beams and measuring their dose distributions.
3. understand general principles for planning electron radiotherapy
4. be able to describe how electron beams can be used in special procedures such as total skin electron irradiation and intraoperative treatments.
5. understand how treatment planning systems can accurately calculate dose distributions for electron beams.
6. learn about new developments in electron radiotherapy that may be common in the near future.



Funding Support, Disclosures, and Conflict of Interest: John A. Antolak: no conflicts Kenneth R. Hogstrom - Research funding from Elekta, Inc. - Research funding from .decimal, Inc.

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