What does the tray transmission factor indicate?

The tray transmission factor quantifies the proportion of radiation that successfully passes through a block tray without being attenuated. This measurement is vital in radiation therapy as it helps dosimetry professionals understand how much of the treatment dose will actually reach the patient after passing through the tray used to hold the shielding blocks. By knowing the transmission factor, dosimetrists can accurately calculate the amount of radiation that will contribute to the therapeutic dose delivered to the tumor while ensuring the surrounding healthy tissues are adequately protected.

In radiation therapy, trays are often used to position lead blocks or other shielding materials, and it is crucial to understand how much radiation gets through these materials to achieve optimal treatment outcomes. By successfully determining the amount transmitted, clinicians can make effective adjustments to the dosage to ensure accurate targeting of cancerous tissues.