What aspect is crucial when targeting radiation therapy?

Clearly marking the radiation field is essential in radiation therapy to ensure precision and accuracy in treatment delivery. This practice helps healthcare professionals consistently target the tumor while minimizing damage to surrounding healthy tissues. By having precise markings, such as ink or tattoos on the skin, the radiation team can align the patient correctly for each session, ensuring that the same area is treated consistently. This accuracy is crucial because it maximizes the effectiveness of the therapy while reducing the risk of side effects associated with radiation exposure to unintended areas.

In contrast, using a larger radiation field would not be beneficial as it could potentially increase exposure to healthy tissues, while avoiding any skin markings could lead to misalignment during treatments, thereby compromising the efficacy of the therapy. Changing the radiation area with each treatment would also complicate the process and could undermine the treatment’s effectiveness by varying the target area.