What does the term "radiation therapy dose fractionation" mean?

The term "radiation therapy dose fractionation" refers to the practice of dividing the total radiation dose into smaller, more manageable doses that are administered over a specific period. This approach helps to maximize the therapeutic effects of radiation on cancer cells while minimizing damage to surrounding healthy tissues. By fractionating the doses, healthcare providers can take advantage of the body's natural repair mechanisms, which can help protect normal cells and reduce side effects associated with radiation therapy.

This strategy is based on biological principles of radiotherapy, where splitting up the treatment allows normal healthy cells time to recover between treatments while maintaining an effective attack on the tumor cells. Fractionation typically occurs over several weeks, with sessions scheduled multiple times a week.

In contrast, administering all doses at once could lead to excessive damage to healthy tissues and more severe side effects, while applying radiation only once a week would not provide an adequate dose to effectively combat the tumor. Lastly, using different types of radiation for treatment does not pertain to the concept of dose fractionation but rather refers to the technique or modality of radiation used in therapy.