The Cherenkov Effect May Provide New Tools for Radiation Treatment

An advancement in the field of radiation oncology could help save the lives of more cancer patients. By pinpointing the tumor and minimizing the potential damage of healthy tissue, radiation treatment can be more effective than ever.

The Cherenkov Effect was investigated in 2011 by scientists and engineers at Dartmouth University. They theorized, "by using Cherenkov emissions the beam of radiation could be "visible" to the treatment team. The ability to capture an X-ray would show: (1) how the radiation signals travel through the body (2) the dose of radiation to the skin and (3) any errors in dosage."

After various experiments with mannequins, Cherenkov imaging was used for the first time in a treatment setting on a dog with an oral tumor, after which the process was coined "Cherenkoscopy." The results of the treatment were published in the November 2013 issue of the Journal of Biomedical Optics and in the Dartmouth Engineer Magazine. During the treatment setting, the scientists were able to see detailed information about the treatment field and the dose; where the radiation was targeted and how much was emitted.

"This first observation in the dog proved that we could image a radiation beam during treatment in real time," said David Gladstone, ScD, Chief of Clinical Physics at Norris Cotton Cancer Center. "The images verified the shape of the beam as well as intended motion of the treatment machine."

The next step was to use the technology on a human patient, so the team geared up to perform it on a breast cancer patient. And as a result, the team discovered that they are able make more adjustments to avoid side effects to the skin when using radiation treatment. How? The Cherenkov images revealed a hot spot in the patient's underarm (a skin reaction from the radiation), a discovery that can help physicians and physicists to prevent such happenings.           

Twelve patients are participating in a pilot study for "Cherenkoscopy" and it is nearly complete. The results are expected to be published in a peer-reviewed journal so the process can hopefully become widely oriented.