What is a common fractionation schedule in radiation therapy?

A common fractionation schedule in radiation therapy involves administering daily fractions over several weeks. This approach is designed to maximize the effectiveness of the treatment while minimizing damage to surrounding healthy tissues. Fractionation helps to allow normal cells to recover between treatments while maintaining the tumor's inability to repair itself as efficiently.

Administering daily fractions allows for more consistent dosing and can enhance the therapeutic ratio of radiation therapy, meaning that it increases the likelihood of tumor control while reducing toxicity to normal tissues. This strategy is based on well-researched biophysical principles that have demonstrated improved outcomes for patients undergoing radiation treatment.

In contrast, a single large dose may generate high immediate effects but risks overwhelming both tumor and normal tissue, potentially leading to more severe side effects. Weekly doses could be less effective due to longer intervals that may allow the tumor to regrow. Monthly doses would generally be inadequate for most cancer treatments, as they do not provide the necessary frequency to manage tumor growth effectively.