Experience with an orthovoltage X-ray therapy machine being used as the only radiotherapy equipment at Mulago Hospital, Kampala, Uganda

In October 1988 a Radiotherapy Unit became fully operational utilising a deep X-ray therapy machine operating at a maximum kilovoltage of 300 kv at Mulago Hospital. This is the national referral hospital of Uganda and it is the teaching hospital of Makerere University Medical School which is Uganda's only Medical School. A review of the first one hundred and sixty-one cancer patients (161) treated with this machine is presented showing the commonly treated tumours, common problems encountered during the treatment as well as the complications seen and their frequency during this period. A review of the common tumours (histologically proven) as recorded in the Uganda cancer register from 1975-1978 (which were the latest records available in the register at the time of writing of the Paper) is also presented. These figures are used in combination with our experiences to point out the inadequacy of having only orthovoltage facilities in a center like ours. The dire need for Megavoltage radiotherapy facilities as well as facilities for intracavitary treatment are pointed out as being basic in a unit which can effectively treat most of the tumours as seen at Mulago Hospital, Uganda and probably in most centres of the developing world. (author). 1 ref., 8 tabs