Play-Doh and water-soaked gauze sponges as alternative bolus material for cobalt-60 teletherapy

A study was performed to determine if carefully made boluses of either Play‐Doh®, or water‐soaked cotton gauze sponges differed from the commercial bolus material, Superflab, in producing maximum radiation dose when irradiated with cobalt‐60 photons. The radiation doses were measured with thermoluminescent dosimeters calibrated to be accurate for cobalt‐60 photon energies at doses less than 10.0 cGy. The resulting radiation doses were similar when using Play‐Doh®, water‐soaked sponges, or Superflab. Doses resulting from Play‐Doh® boluses more consistently approximated those of Superflab. The results of this study suggest that either Play‐Doh® or water‐soaked cotton gauze sponges can suffice as material for carefully made bolus for cobalt‐60 teletherapy.