Improved dose homogeneity in the breast using tissue compensators

The improvements achievable by introducing individual tissue compensators in photon therapy of the breast were assessed. In 37 patients the dose ranged from+15 to -10% of the mid target dose using combinations of wedge filters and beam weights alone. With a tissue compensator the dose ranged from +4 to -11% provided that allowance was made for lung attenuation. A megavoltage imaging system is a potential source of the X-ray transmission data which can provide a basis for the calculation of thickness of the compensator. (author). 10 refs.; 4 figs