INCREASE OF SURFACE DOSE USING WOUND DRESSINGS DURING PERCUTANEOUS RADIOTHERAPY WITH PHOTONS AND ELECTRONS

Different wound dressings are used for the supportive treatment of pat ients with radiation-induced skin lesions. Depending on beam quality a nd energy, an increase of the dose administered to the skin and thus a n aggravated skin reaction is to be expected during percutaneous irrad iation. The increase of the skin dose during irradiation with photons (Co60, 6 MV, 42 MV) and electrons (7 MeV, 20 MeV, 42 MeV) was determin ed using thermoluminescence dosimetry. The use of wound dressings duri ng electron irradiation and during soft irradiation therapy does not s ignificantly increase the dose administered to the skin and does not t herefore cause any problems. During irradiation with high energy photo ns only extremely thin dressings should be used; if there is an aggrav ated skin reaction, the dressing should be taken off before irradiatio n commences.