In radiation therapy, compensators primarily serve to resolve issues related to?

Compensators in radiation therapy are specifically designed to address challenges posed by irregular patient surfaces and varying tissue thicknesses. When a patient's anatomy is not uniform, the delivery of radiation can become inconsistent, which may lead to underdosing or overdosing specific areas of the target volume. Compensators work by altering the beam intensity and distribution, allowing more precise targeting of the tumor while protecting surrounding healthy tissue.

In instances where there are hollows or protrusions in the patient's body, compensators help fill in these gaps or reduce the dose in areas where excessive radiation might be harmful. By doing so, they enhance the effectiveness of the treatment while minimizing harm to healthy tissues, thus ensuring a more tailored and accurate treatment plan. This use of compensators is crucial for achieving optimal dose distribution in complex treatment scenarios, making them essential tools in medical dosimetry.