The development and characterization of an all-purpose bolus for radiotherapy

Objective.The purpose of this study was to develop a new bolus (HM bolus), with tissue equivalence, transparency, reusability, and free shaping at approximately 40 °C for excellent adhesion, and to evaluate the feasibility of clinically using this bolus as an ideal bolus.Approach.We summarized the advantages and disadvantages of existing boluses. To evaluate dose characteristics, a vinyl gel sheet bolus (Gel bolus) and HM bolus placed on a water-equivalent phantom were used to obtain the percentage depth dose (PDD) of electron (6 MeV, 9 MeV) and photon (4 MV, 6 MV) beams. The average dose difference of the HM bolus and Gel bolus was calculated. The Gel bolus, a soft rubber bolus (SR bolus), and HM bolus were placed in adherence to a pelvic phantom. CT images taken after shaping and 1, 2, and 3 weeks after shaping were used to evaluate the adhesion and reproducibility using air gap and dice similarity coefficient (DSC).Main results.The average dose difference for electron beams was 0.16% ± 0.79% and photon beams was 0.06% ± 0.34%, both within 1% of the PDD results. The HM bolus showed the same build-up effect and dose characteristics as the Gel bolus. The mean air gap values for the Gel bolus, SR bolus, and HM bolus were 96.02 ± 43.77 cm³, 34.93 ± 21.44 cm³, and 4.40 ± 1.50 cm³, respectively. The mean DSC values compared to initial images for the Gel bolus, SR bolus, and HM bolus were 0.363 ± 0.035, 0.556 ± 0.042, and 0.837 ± 0.018, respectively. Excellent adhesion was observed in the CT simulation and during the treatment period.Significance.The HM bolus has unique features, such as tissue equivalence, transparency, reusability, and free shaping for excellent adhesion, and is thus an ideal bolus for use in clinical cases.