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Total body irradiation (TBI) is a radiation therapy used as part of treatment for patients with lymphoma, leukemia or myeloma. TBI is designed to prepare your child for a stem cell or bone marrow transplant. As the name suggests, irradiation of the entire body is performed using high-energy rays, which are comparable to X-rays. The lungs often are shielded to help decrease the risk of a radiation-related lung injury.
TBI sessions are carefully scheduled in order to help kill cancer cells in the bone marrow increasing the likelihood that the transplant will be successful.. When used before a transplant using donor stem cells, TBI also suppresses the immune system. This helps to prevent rejection of the donor stem cells.
TBI is performed twice per day for three consecutive days with at least six hours between daily treatments.
The total body irradiation team at Norton Children’s Cancer Institute, affiliated with the UofL School of Medicine, includes a dedicated radiation oncologist, physicist, dosimetrist, radiation therapist and nurse, who will work with your child to ensure he or she receives the best possible care.