The primary role of a compensator in the treatment of surfaces is to?

A compensator is specifically designed to modify the beam intensity to ensure that patients with irregular surfaces receive a uniform dose of radiation during treatment. The unique contours created by the compensator match the patient's anatomy, allowing the radiation to effectively conform to the surface of the treatment area. This is essential for achieving optimal dose distribution, especially in cases where the surface is uneven, such as in areas with raised scars or contours.

Uniform dosing is critical because non-uniform doses can lead to suboptimal treatment outcomes, potentially allowing some tumor cells to survive while overdosing other healthy tissues. By using a compensator, clinicians can achieve a more precise alignment of the radiation beams with the patient's surface, thereby improving the efficacy of the treatment while minimizing exposure to surrounding healthy tissues. This function is what sets compensators apart from other aspects of treatment administration, ensuring that each patient receives the precise therapeutic dose needed for effective treatment.