Measurements of exposure dose outside the radiation field under conditions of conventional radiotherapy and telecobalttherapy

The results of measurements of the exposure dose on the surface of the body of patients treated with gamma radiation from Co60 and with X radiation under conditions of conventional treatment are presented. The cases treated received radiotherapy to the pelvis, mediastinum and maxillary sinus. The measurable dose of exposure in cobalt radiotherapy reached 70-90 cm outside the field of radiation while in conventional treatment it reached 60 cm outside the field. The fall in the dose immediately outside the borders of the field was more evident in cobalt therapy than in X-ray therapy. In both types of therapy the exposure dose to the gonads was small. (author)