Calculation of the Absorbed Dose in Soft-Tissue Cavities in Bone Irradiated by X-Rays

Abstract

A simplified method is presented for the calculation of the absorbed dose in soft-tissue cavities in bone. The method takes into account the variation of LET with electron energy and extends the analysis of Charlton and Cormack to spherical cavities, takes into account the continuous-energy spectrum of the Compton electrons, and the energy transferred to the medium by Auger electrons. The computation of the geometrical functions and physical parameters involved is described, and accurate tabulations of these quantities are presented.