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Dose-time relationships in fractionated radiotherapy for cancer

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Summary and Conclusions

The irradiation time and the dose per fraction are two key parameters in the fractionated therapy of patients with cancer. Reduction of the total treatment time and the use of low doses per fraction lead to improvements in the therapeutic relationship in cancer of the head and neck and at other tumour localisations of epithelial origin. The introduction of the linear-quadratic model and the biologically effective dose concept into the clinical setting has enabled quantitative analysis of the biological effects of radiation on malignant tumours and on acutely and slowly responding tissues, notably enhancing the perception of relationships between basic phenomena and clinical data. As a result, new and better irradiation regimens have been developed for the treatment of patients with specific tumours.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Radiation Oncology, University Hospital, Avda. Dr. Olóriz, s/n, 18012, Granada

    Vicente Pedraza Muriel

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  1. Vicente Pedraza Muriel
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Correspondence to Vicente Pedraza Muriel.

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Muriel, V.P. Dose-time relationships in fractionated radiotherapy for cancer. Rev Oncol 5, 49–54 (2003). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02712843

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