What is the typical skin dose when using electron beams?

Using electron beams in radiation therapy is specifically designed to target superficial tumors while minimizing the dose to deeper tissues. The typical skin dose when using electron beams is around 80-90%. This high percentage is due to the unique characteristics of electron beams, which deliver their maximum energy near the skin surface and rapidly fall off in energy with depth. This allows for effective treatment of lesions that are located just beneath the surface of the skin while preserving the surrounding healthy tissue.

Electron beams are often used for treating conditions such as basal cell carcinoma or other skin malignancies where precise dosing is crucial. The near-surface dose of about 80-90% ensures that the tumor receives an adequate amount of radiation for effective treatment while limiting exposure to deeper organs and structures.

Understanding this characteristic of electron beams is critical for radiation therapists and oncologists to optimize treatment plans according to the type and location of the tumor being treated.