What are the advantages of multiple field treatments?

Choosing to use multiple field treatments in radiation therapy primarily aims to maximize the dose delivered to the target tumor while minimizing exposure to surrounding healthy tissues. When multiple angles and fields are utilized, radiation can converge more effectively on the target area, allowing for a higher dose to be administered directly to the tumor. This approach increases the likelihood of successfully treating the cancer with fewer side effects.

In the context of clinical practice, maximizing the target dose is crucial for tumor control, particularly in cases where the tumor has complex shapes or is located near sensitive organs. By employing various fields, dosimetrists can also tailor dose distributions, optimizing the therapeutic ratio between tumor eradication and minimizing collateral damage to adjacent healthy tissues. This strategy is fundamental in achieving treatment goals and improving patient outcomes.

While considerations such as treatment time and field sizes are important, they do not directly contribute to the primary objective of targeting the tumor effectively, making them secondary to the primary aim of maximizing the dose to the tumor.