[Total body irradiation for bone marrow transplantation: results of a national survey].

The fourth national survey concerning total body irradiation (TBI) was completed in July, 1987. Results reveal that bilateral TBI is utilized at most hospitals (70%), and that a fractionated TBI has been employed at 37 out of 40 hospitals. High dose-rate TBI treatments have been used at 5 hospitals, mid-dose rate at 27, and low-dose rate at 8. Dose compensating and the shielding of contour variations, inhomogeneities, and the critical organs, as well as in vivo dosimetry were undertaken in more than half of the hospitals. Since the variety of methods in practice makes it difficult to identify the optimal TBI, the standardization of TBI should be an aim of a future investigation.