DRRs can be compared with port films to ensure what aspect of treatment?

The purpose of comparing Digital Reconstructed Radiographs (DRRs) with port films is to ensure the accuracy of treatment delivery. DRRs are created from the CT images used for treatment planning and are designed to represent the same anatomical structures as seen during treatment, while port films are taken during the actual delivery of radiation therapy to visualize the treatment area.

By comparing these two images, medical dosimetrists and radiation oncologists can confirm that the patient's position aligns with the treatment plan as intended. This verification process is essential for ensuring that the radiation is delivered to the correct location, minimizing the risk of radiation exposure to surrounding healthy tissues, and maximizing the treatment efficacy on the cancerous area. Accurate delivery is fundamental to the success of radiation therapy, influencing both treatment outcomes and patient safety.

The other provided options – patient consent, cost-effectiveness, and duration of treatment – do not directly relate to the purpose of comparing DRRs with port films, as these issues pertain more to administrative or logistical aspects of treatment rather than the technical verification of the radiation delivery itself.