In SSD technique, how is the patient positioned?

In the SSD (Source-to-Skin Distance) technique, the patient is positioned specifically with respect to their skin at a constant SSD. This technique ensures that the radiation dose is delivered consistently to the treatment area, which is critical for achieving effective therapeutic outcomes while minimizing exposure to surrounding healthy tissues. The SSD is a predetermined distance from the radiation source to the patient's skin surface, and maintaining this constant distance is crucial in providing uniform dose distribution across the treatment field.

Positioning the patient in this manner allows for accuracy in treatment planning and delivery, as variations in this distance can lead to unequal doses being delivered to the tumor and surrounding tissues. The focus is on keeping that distance constant throughout the treatment sessions to ensure precision and effectiveness of the radiation therapy.