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The Tracking Cobalt Project

From Moving-Beam Therapy to Three-Dimensional Programmed Irradiation

  • Chapter
Progress in Medical Radiation Physics

Abstract

In radiotherapy, the dose distribution achieved over the tumor volume, whatever its shape and location, and avoiding damage to surrounding tissues are vital components in the success or failure of the treatment. Moreover, by minimizing the volume irradiated, it becomes possible to deliver higher doses, and as first demonstrated by Ralston Paterson in Manchester, the higher doses tolerated lead to higher cure rates. However, adopting smaller volumes and higher dose levels call for higher precision in delivery, since Shukovsky,(1) Stewart and Jackson,(2) and Herring(3) have shown that there is a steep function relating dose with probability of cure and also risk of damage.

“My object all sublime I shall achieve in time, to let the punishment fit the crime, the punishment fit the crime” (“The Mikado” Gilbert and Sullivan, 1885)

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. National Physical Laboratory, Teddington, TW11 0LW, England

    W. A. Jennings

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  1. W. A. Jennings
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Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Wayne State University School of Medicine, Harper-Grace Hospitals, Detroit, Michigan, USA

    Colin G. Orton

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© 1985 Plenum Press, New York

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Jennings, W.A. (1985). The Tracking Cobalt Project. In: Orton, C.G. (eds) Progress in Medical Radiation Physics. Springer, Boston, MA. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4613-2387-7_1

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4613-2387-7_1

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Boston, MA

  • Print ISBN: 978-1-4612-9458-0

  • Online ISBN: 978-1-4613-2387-7

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