Electron radiotherapy (ERT) is particularly useful in treating superficial tumours where the maximum sparing of deep underlying normal tissue is required. ERT treatment planning is usually limited to varying the treatment beam angle, energy and field shape. The consequence is that ERT often delivers an unnecessarily high dose to immediately underlying structures. Improving plan quality by overcoming these ERT limitations can be achieved by implementing Modulated Electron Radiation Therapy (MERT).
Implementing MERT would typically involve modifying the linear accelerator head which is expensive and disruptive to undertake. An emerging alternative offering a cost-effective means to implement MERT is to produce modulated thickness bolus created using Adaptiiv software and 3D print it with specialized materials specifically designed for radiotherapy treatments.