Duke University Medicaj. Center, InterGom
Page 5
Radiation Therapy
and Research
Division Keeps Busy
In our busy medical center one
area of bustling activity is the radia
tion therapy and research division.
In less than four years of existence
the patient load in this division has
increased at such a rate that now over
400 patients are processed weekly for
evaluation and treatment.
Cancer is the second largest disease
killer in the United States. Until the
incidence of cancer can be controlled,
the most effective method of reducing
the death rate lies in improved treat
ment. Such treatment is available in
this division.
The division is directed by Dr.
Patrick J. Cavanaugh, associate pro
fessor of radiology. Basic facilities
for the treatment of cancer patients
include a cobalt 60 unit, a cesium 137
unit, a 280,000 volt X-ray machine,
and one other smaller X-ray machine.
The cesium unit was the second of
its type to be placed in use in the
United States. A pilot model incor
porating the most advanced develop
ments in high voltage radiation ther
apy, the unit was designed specifically
for treatment of cancers located just
under the surface of the skin. The
cobalt unit is particularly designed to
approach deep-seated cancers.
Both units produce radiation which
has “great penetrating power with
maximum effectiveness inside the
body tissues rather than at the level
of the skin,” said Dr. Cavanaugh.
They also make it possible to give a
high dose of radiation without “in
jury to the skin and bone.”
In undergoing cobalt therapy, the
patient is placed on a specially con
structed table beneath a projecting
arm of the unit. The radiation beam
emitted from a lead sphere at the end
of this arm is shaped according to
predetermined sj)ecifieation and can
be moved around the patient’s body
to attack malignant cells from many
different angles.
The beam is directed from outside
the treatment room by remote con
trol. Physicians and technicians are
tew
Dr. M. Paul Capp and Dr. Norman A. Thorne are shown positioning the cobalt 60 unit
above a patient awaiting radiation treatment.
able to observe the patient over a
closed circuit television system. An
intercommunication system provides
verbal contact between the patient
and those outside the treatment room.
The room itself consists of concrete
walls and ceiling which are approx
imately 40 inches thick. These pro
vide maximum protection against ra
diation for hospital personnel.
Today the X-ray machine, though
used less often than tlie cobalt and
cesium units, is still an essential j)art
of radiation therapy and research.
The large machine in the Duke di
vision is employed for general treat
ment j)urposes while the smaller ma
chine is used for the treatment of
siii)erficial skin and lij) cancers.
Dr. (’avanaugh’s division, however,
does not confine its effort to the treat
ment of patients. It functions on
three levels: treatment, training, and
research.
(Continued on page 7)
A patient receiving therapy under the
cesium 137 unit.
Mrs. Helen Tillery operates the division’s
larger X-ray unit.
Duke photos by Sparks