What is the primary importance of boney landmarks during pelvic treatments?

Boney landmarks play a crucial role in accurate patient positioning during pelvic treatments. They serve as reliable anatomical references that can be used to ensure that the patient is positioned consistently for each treatment session. Proper alignment with these landmarks is essential for maximizing the precision of radiation delivery to the target area while minimizing exposure to surrounding healthy tissues. This consistency helps to maintain the effectiveness of the treatment regimen and promotes better outcomes for the patient.

While identifying tumor position, calculating radiation doses, and evaluating treatment plans are important in the overall context of radiation therapy, the primary focus during treatment setup specifically revolves around ensuring that the patient is accurately positioned according to established boney landmarks. This is fundamental to the success of any radiotherapy treatment because any misalignment could lead to reduced effectiveness or increased side effects.