When reporting patient dose, what must the radiation oncologist specify?

In the context of reporting patient dose, it is essential for the radiation oncologist to provide information about both the maximum and minimum target doses. This is crucial as it allows for a comprehensive understanding of the dose distribution within the target volume. The average dose alone does not adequately reflect the potential variability in dose received by different parts of the target area, especially in cases of complex treatment plans where the shape of the tumor or the surrounding anatomy can lead to significant dose gradients.

Specifying both the maximum and minimum doses helps to assess whether the prescribed treatment plan is effective and safe. The maximum target dose indicates the highest exposure a certain part of the target volume might receive, which is critical for evaluating the risk of side effects or toxicities. Conversely, the minimum target dose ensures that there is sufficient coverage of the treatment area to achieve desired therapeutic outcomes while minimizing harm to surrounding healthy tissues.

This dual specification of doses is also aligned with quality assurance practices in radiation therapy, as it plays a vital role in treatment evaluation and optimization. Providing this information aids in improving treatment efficacy and patient safety.