Abstract: An apparatus for use in optimizing radiation dose distributions to a rectum and a bladder of a patient during the treatment of malignancies of female genitalia is provided in accordance with the present invention. The apparatus includes a colpostat intracavitary implant including a housing portion adapted to receive a radiation source therein and a jacket. The jacket defines a cavity sized to receive the housing portion. The jacket is configured to selectively expand in volumetric size to move the rectum and the bladder away from the radiation source.

Abstract: A dynamic table/shield apparatus contains a movable treatment table and at least one shielding block which is movable relative to the table. The apparatus effects total body irradiation treatment of a body disposed on the table while completely shielding, throughout the treatment time, a midplane of a predetermined body part from a radiation beam emitted from a radiation source during the treatment. During the treatment, the table and body are moved in a first direction at a first velocity V.sub.1 through a radiation field, and the shielding block is moved relative to the table at a second velocity V.sub.2 in a second direction opposite of the first direction. The second velocity is equal to (V.sub.1)(b/a), wherein "V.sub.1 " is the first velocity, "b" is the perpendicular distance between the the shielding block and the midplane of the body part, and "a" is the perpendicular distance between the midplane of the body part and the radiation source.