[Verification of the portal skin mark for radiotherapy]

Verification of portal skin mark in radiotherapy is very important for external beam therapy because precision in radiotherapy depends on accuracy of the skin marking throughout the course of radiotherapy. In taking steps to preserve the skin mark, an adhesive tape and plastic bandage material spray are used on the mark after skin is marked with an oil based marking pen, and skin marking materials on the market are used as well. We compared the methods of preserving the skin mark. The results are (1) it was effective to remove oil from skin before marking. (2) the adhesive tape and the plastic bandage material spray were useful for skin marking drawn with an oil based marking pen. (3) the skin marking materials on the market were useful as well. (4) it is necessary to use properly the skin marking materials depending on the condition of skin. Most of all, it is essential to inform patients on the importance of skin marking in clinical radiotherapy.