[Gonadal load in 60Co irradiation of peripheral, mediastinal and retroperitoneal lymph nodes]

A telecobalt therapy of lymph node groups was simulated on the Alderson phantom and the gonad dose caused by each irradiation field was measured with LiF dosimeters. When the supradiaphragmatic and the para-aortal lymph nodes were irradiated, the ovary dose showed rates up to 20% of the dose maximum. The irradiation of the same zones brought about a testicle dose of less than 50% of the dose maximum, and only 1/20 of this rate was achieved when a lead plate of about four cm was used in order to protect the testicles. The results are discussed under the point of view of the genetic risk.