What should be the alignment of the treatment beam in extremity treatments?

The alignment of the treatment beam in extremity treatments should be perpendicular to the beam. This orientation is crucial because it ensures that the radiation dose is delivered accurately and uniformly to the targeted area while minimizing exposure to surrounding healthy tissues. By maintaining this perpendicular alignment, the geometric accuracy of the radiation delivery is enhanced, reducing the risk of suboptimal treatment outcomes.

In extremity treatments, where the anatomy is more confined and the risk of unintentionally irradiating nearby organs or structures is heightened, proper beam alignment becomes fundamental to achieving the desired therapeutic effect. A perpendicular setup also aids in maintaining consistent treatment margins and positions, which is essential for reproducibility and safety in patient care.

Maintaining this perpendicular relationship helps in maximizing the radiation's effectiveness on the tumor while minimizing potential damage to adjacent healthy tissues. The precise positioning inherent in this approach is vital in achieving desired therapeutic outcomes in radiation therapy.