What is a consequence of not using immobilization devices during treatment?

Not using immobilization devices during treatment can lead to higher chances of setup errors. Immobilization devices are critical in ensuring that the patient is positioned consistently and accurately for each treatment session. Without these devices, there is greater variability in patient positioning, which can result in misalignment of the treatment area. This misalignment can impact the effectiveness of the radiation therapy, potentially exposing healthy tissues to radiation and reducing the treatment's overall precision.

Correct positioning is essential in radiation therapy to ensure that the intended dose is accurately delivered to the tumor while minimizing exposure to surrounding healthy tissues. Therefore, the absence of immobilization devices compromises the treatment's accuracy and increases the risk of errors during the setup process.