What is the potential impact of single field treatments on dose distribution?

Single field treatments typically involve delivering radiation from one direction only. This method often leads to dose non-uniformity due to the limited angles of incidence. When radiation is applied from a single field, certain areas of the tumor may receive an adequate dose, but surrounding healthy tissues might receive excessive doses, and vice versa, resulting in an uneven distribution of radiation across the treatment volume. This variability can make it challenging to achieve the desired therapeutic effect while minimizing damage to adjacent healthy tissues.

Furthermore, with single field treatments, there is also the potential for "hot spots," where certain areas receive significantly higher doses than intended, and "cold spots," where areas may not receive enough radiation to effectively treat the condition. The lack of multiple angles from which to deliver radiation limits the ability to adjust and optimize the treatment plan for uniformity.

In summary, the choice identifies a significant drawback of using single field treatments, as the potential for unacceptable dose non-uniformity poses a considerable risk in radiation therapy, making it crucial for dosimetrists and radiation oncologists to consider alternative plans that utilize multiple fields or advanced techniques which can improve dose distribution.