Electron therapy

Overview
Electron therapy or Electron Beam Therapy (EBT) is a kind of external beam radiotherapy where electrons are directed to a tumor site.

Indications
Electron beam therapy is used in the treatment of superficial tumors and it may also be used to boost the radiation dose to cancer node sites. Electron therapy is used to treat superficial tumors because of the characteristics of electron dose deposition: When using electron beams the dose falls off rapidly below the tumor site, therefore sparing deeper healthy tissue.

Equipment
Electron beam therapy is performed using a medical linear accelerator. This device can also be used to produce high energy photon beams. When electrons are required, the x-ray target is retracted out of the beam and the electron beam is collimated with a piece of apparatus known as an applicator.