In vivo whole body dosimetry measurement technique of total body irradiation: a 12-year retrospective study result from one institute in Thailand.

OBJECTIVE: The main problem of total body irradiation (TBI) is how to maintain radiation dose homogeneity throughout the body during a treatment course. The simple set up treatment with non-complicated in vivo dosimetry measurement technique is the ideal method to solve this problem. For this reason, the authors have reported the results of in vivo dosimetry measurement method to prove the reliability of dose distribution from the authors' TBI technique. MATERIAL AND METHOD: The authors reviewed the data of dose measurement record from 53 patients' treatment files to report the uniformity of absorbed in vivo dose distribution throughout the whole body from TBI with semiconductor detectors and ionization chamber with the accepted homogeneity within +/- 10% of the prescribed dose. The result was reported in the term of mean and standard deviation of absorbed dose difference from the prescribed dose. RESULTS: The uniformity of radiation dose distribution throughout the whole body of all patients calculated from semiconductors was accepted with mean difference value of -3.2 +/- 2.5% from the prescribed dose and the difference of mean absorbed dose value at midline point between semiconductor and ionization chamber was 4 +/- 3.3%. CONCLUSION: This TBI dosimetry measurement technique has been proved to exhibit the reliability of dose homogeneity throughout the whole body within the accepted value. This could be applied for use at any institute that has some limitation in resources and small treatment room.

Experiences of fatigue and self-management of Thai Buddhist cancer patients undergoing radiation therapy.

The purpose of this study was to describe (a) the subjective feelings of fatigue of Thai Buddhist cancer patients undergoing radiation therapy (RT) and identify possible gender differences, (b) their beliefs about the main cause of fatigue, and (c) their ways of self-management for relief of fatigue. One hundred thirty-three voluntary and randomly selected patients, 55 men and 78 women, completed a questionnaire with a Thai version of the Revised Piper Fatigue Scale. After 1 week of treatment, the largest group (42.1%) of the patients had felt fatigue during the last few hours (from 1 to 5 hours). The patients perceived a mild level of fatigue, but the sensory/cognitive fatigue scores were high. Five categories of beliefs about the main cause of fatigue emerged: (a) receiving RT; (b) feelings of anxiety, depression, and fright/fear; (c) cancer; (d) long travel to hospital and long waiting time for RT; and (e) difficulty with sleep and weak body. For relief of fatigue, 5 categories of self-management emerged: (1) getting moral support from family and friends; (2) practicing religion, reciting prayers, doing merit, and meditating; (3) practicing self-care for symptomatic problems; (4) accepting the situation and doing the best of one's life; and (5) consulting with doctor and nurse. In conclusion, healthcare providers need to be concerned about RT patients' symptoms of fatigue, beliefs about causes of fatigue, and ways of self-management for relief of fatigue. They also need understanding of cultural and religious beliefs to plan holistic care.