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RachelG's avatar
RachelG
Member
8 years ago

Bolus pad in radiation

Hi ladies,
I have started radiation this week and they have put a bolus pad on the area, is this normal for treatment? I have heard it can intensify the treatment. It wasn't really explained what the point of it was and any advice would be greatly appreciated.
Rachel x
radiation
treatment

8 Replies

  • RachelG's avatar
    RachelG
    Member
    8 years ago
    Hi @Kombigirl, how many sessions have you had so far? I had my fifth one today out of 25. I have been applying the strataXRT twice a day and started doing this a week before treatment started x
  • Kombigirl's avatar
    Kombigirl
    Member
    8 years ago
    Hi Rachel, I'm at the Mater in Brisbane. I just checked my paperwork and I can't use anything else. So far I'm happy with the gel. I checked and it does cost a fortune. x
  • RachelG's avatar
    RachelG
    Member
    8 years ago
    Hi @Kombigirl, no unfortunately I am not on the trial but would like to have been as the gel costs a fortune!! What hospital are you at? I would think they would just want you to use the strataXRT but just check in case x
  • Kombigirl's avatar
    Kombigirl
    Member
    8 years ago
    Hi Rachel, I too have the bolus and will have it for every treatment. JoeyLiz explained the bolus well. Just a question about the StrataXRT. I'm on a trial for it and was under the impression that it was all I could use. Are you on the trial too? Are we able to use the MooGoo while on the trial?
  • RachelG's avatar
    RachelG
    Member
    8 years ago
    Hi @JoeyLiz, thank you so much for your clear explanation shame the PA hospital in Brisbane doesn't bother to explain this as well as you did before I started. I have been applying the strataXRT gel twice a day and have the Moo goo cream which I will incorporate also xx
  • JoeyLiz's avatar
    JoeyLiz
    Member
    8 years ago
    Hi @RachelG the bolus is used to act as an extra layer of skin to trick the radiation (I won’t bore you with the physics) This means that your actual skin surface will receive a higher dose. It is usually used for chest wall treatments where the skin was involved or the margins weren’t clear. It can also be used to bring dose out of the lung if there is not enough tissue. 
    If your Centre offers the mepitel film I would ask if you can have it as it may help lessen your skin reaction, otherwise just ensure you moisturise at least 3 times per day with a recommended cream. The therapists and nurses will keep an eye on your skin (as they do for any patient) sometimes the bolus is alternate days or for the first half of treatment or will be taken off if your skin reaction does get quite bad.
    Hope that helps, any more questions feel free to ask xx
  • Anonymous's avatar
    Anonymous
    8 years ago
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