Which of the following is NOT a benefit of fractionation?

Fractionation in radiation therapy involves delivering the total dose of radiation in smaller, divided doses over a period of time rather than all at once. This approach has several benefits that enhance the effectiveness of treatment while mitigating negative impacts on healthy tissue. Among the options listed, the benefit that is not associated with fractionation is shorter treatment time.

Reduced side effects is a significant advantage of fractionation because it allows normal, healthy cells time to recover in between doses. Additionally, by giving radiation in fractions, the treatment minimizes damage to surrounding healthy tissue and reduces acute side effects associated with higher single doses.

Improved tumor control is another benefit, as fractionated doses can target tumors more effectively over time, allowing for a better response from the tumor cells while also enabling the body’s normal tissues to repair themselves. The increased precision in targeting cancer cells is also crucial; fractionation permits more accurate delivery of radiation, ensuring that tumor cells are more significantly impacted while sparing normal tissues.

Shorter treatment time, conversely, is not an advantage of fractionation. In fact, fractionation typically requires a longer overall treatment duration since patients must visit the treatment facility multiple times to receive each fraction of radiation. This contrasts with single-dose radiation therapy, which can be completed in less