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Thermoplastic and bolus
Thermoplastics
Thermoplastic material is a low-density plastic that can be formed under gentle heat resulting in a rigid hard plastic shell around the patient's anatomy. It has been used for many decades for patients undergoing repeated fractions of radiotherapy to keep the position of the patient relative to the radiation beam so that ultra-precision targeted treatment can be achieved.
Sheets of thermoplastic can be formed into masks for treatment of the head and neck region and around limbs, which are then fixed to the treatment couch. The material is radio translucent so that it does not interfere or absorb the radiation beam before it reaches the patient. Most thermoplastic sheets have perforated holes, but can also be supplied without.
Bolus materials
Bolus is used in radiotherapy, usually to remove the build-up effect of mega-voltage radiation when superficial/skin lesions are being treated. Bolus materials are "tissue equivalent" acting to attenuate the radiation beam in an identical manner to soft tissues and are mouldable to "fill in" irregular surface anatomy. Bolus materials are available in different physical forms such as specially formulated gel sheets, thermoplastic plates, and thermoplastic pearls.
Baseplates
Baseplates are used in conjunction with thermoplastic sheets. The patient lies on a baseplate to which thermoplastic sheets/masks are attached. In turn the baseplate is attached to the imaging/treatment couch.
