A radiation treatment system (100) for accurately delivering radiation to
a targeted site within a cancer patient (108) that includes a modular
patient support system and a patient positioner (114). The modular
patient support system includes a modularly expandable patient pod (200)
and at least one immobilization device, such as, for example, a rigid
moldable foam cradle (350). The patient pod (200) includes a generally
hemi-cylindrical support shell (212) that extends longitudinally between
proximal edge (214) and distal edge (216), and transversely between two
lateral edges (222, 224). In one embodiment, the lateral edges (222, 224)
are tapered to minimize edge effects that result when radiation beams
traverse the lateral edges (222, 224).