What must patient data be acquired for in a medical dosimetry context?

In the context of medical dosimetry, acquiring patient data is crucial for correcting patient skin curvature and body inhomogeneity. When planning radiation therapy, it is important to take into account the varying shape and density of the patient's anatomy, as these factors can significantly influence the distribution of dose during treatment.

Patient skin curvature can affect how radiation is delivered to the targeted tumor, while body inhomogeneity refers to variations in tissue density and composition. For example, different tissues like bone, muscle, and adipose tissue absorb and scatter radiation differently. Accurately mapping these variations allows dosimetrists to create treatment plans that ensure the prescribed dose reaches the tumor effectively while sparing surrounding healthy tissues as much as possible.

This process involves using patient data to create a detailed model of their anatomy, which is essential for achieving optimal treatment outcomes and minimizing damage to healthy tissues. While factors like patient comfort, imaging precision, and treatment costs are important in the overall treatment process, they do not specifically address the need for precise dosimetric calculations that arise from understanding patient anatomy and its complexities.