Study on the radiation attenuation properties of locally available bees-wax as a tissue equivalent bolus material in radiotherapy

In radiation therapy field, bolus material is frequently utilized when treating different areas of a patient, like at the ears or nose, and to provide build-up of dose to the skin surface. The bolus material must be cost effective, suitably flexible to conform to the surface of the patient, and most importantly should be tissue equivalent. The main objective of this work was to estimate the photon attenuation properties of locally available bees-wax and to assess the feasibility of using this bees-wax as a bolus material practice for treatment of cancer patient. The mass attenuation coefficient (μ/ρ) values have been calculated by using MCNP5 simulation code over the wide range of photon energy (0.015–10 MeV). Some related parameters such as the effective atomic number and the mean free path were also calculated to understand the photon attenuation ability of the investigated bolus material. The attenuation properties were also computed for water, tissue and commercial bolus materials for comparison. Evaluation of the results showed that the radiation attenuation properties of locally available bees-wax have a good similarity to water/tissue. Referring to the results of this study, it is proposed that locally available bees-wax is a suitable substance to be used as bolus material practice for treat of cancer patient.