What is crucial for determining the contribution from scattered radiation in a treatment field?

In the context of radiation therapy, the contribution from scattered radiation is essential to understand, as it significantly impacts the overall dosimetry of a treatment field. Scattered radiation primarily occurs when the primary radiation beam interacts with the patient's body or other materials, leading to secondary radiation being emitted in different directions.

Air ratio measurements are crucial for determining the contribution from scattered radiation because they allow clinicians to quantify the dose distribution within the treatment area. The air dose ratios, specifically the ratio of doses measured in air to those measured in a medium like water or tissue, provide insights into how much of the radiation dose is delivered to the target tissue versus how much is scattered away from it.

These measurements help in adjusting treatment plans to ensure that the intended dose is accurately delivered to the tumor while minimizing exposure to surrounding healthy tissues. By accurately assessing the air ratio, dosimetrists can calculate the expected scattered dose, which is vital for creating effective and safe radiation treatment protocols.