Trial Information

Total Body Irradiation for Bone Marrow Transplants: Collaborative Efforts

Most bone marrow transplantations for malignant and non-malignant disease include whole body
irradiation. Techniques for administering that treatment, including patient positioning,
lung and soft tissue compensation, dose rate, total dose and fractionation differ between
institutions. These differences are optimized at each institution to limit toxicity and
maximize therapeutic outcome.

Technically complex procedures such as total body radiation are subject to equipment
failures. Such failures mid-treatment could be catastrophic to the patient, since therapy
must be timely and compatible therapy may not be available elsewhere in the community. The
purpose of this protocol is to provide backup between George Washington University Medical
Center and the Radiation Oncology Branch of the NCI to allow for orderly, safe, and
compatible therapies in the event of equipment failure; or replacement of a linear
accelerator or any other malfunctioning equipment necessary to deliver TBI; or any emergent
situation.