Co-60 no time for retirement ICARO Round Table Discussion Debbie - PowerPoint PPT Presentation

Co-60 – no time for retirement ICARO Round Table Discussion Debbie van der Merwe April 2009

Co-60 – No time for retirement • Cost of equipment? – The price is comparable to a basic LINAC if the system is fully networked into a larger department – A Co-60 unit is better than a second hand linac for free in a small department – Co-60 is much cheaper overall if a basic system is used – Simple start up costs for a new facility because there is extensive data available – Less sensitivity to immobilization (penumbra) – We are short of ????? RO’s, RTT’s and MP’s in the developing world….

Co-60 – No time for retirement • Dependence on power supply? – No chiller – No power conditioner is required – Use of a diesel generator is possible

Co-60 – No time for retirement • Sites that can be treated? – Small patients any site – Skin, e.g. Head and Neck, antrum, parotid, Kaposi’s Sarcoma – Perfect with orthovoltage! Treats +33% more patients than any LINAC at CMJAH – ‘Inferiority’ complex as a result of the marketing of emerging technology as a ‘cure- all’ should be avoided.

Co-60 – No time for retirement • Training of personnel? – There is much more benchmark data available for commissioning – Dosimetry is simple and easy to check (Co-60 HDR?) – It is easier to arrange frontline service support as it is not necessary to peak the beam and the head is much simpler.