ANA/NJ Newsletter

raditional radiation therapy (RT) typically delivers radiation to a wide target field within the body resulting in the treatment of both the tumor and a significant volume of surrounding healthy tissue. This technology is ideal for tumors that invade the surrounding tissue and when tumor margins are not well defined. In an effort to protect the healthy tissue, traditional RT is delivered in small daily doses or fractions divided into 30-40 sessions. This dosing strategy is commonly referred to as hyperfractionation. The sub-lethal daily doses allow healthy tissue to repair itself; a capability not present in tumor cells. However, the total dosage delivered to the patient is limited by the tolerance of healthy tissue in close proximity to the target. In some cases, this limitation may result in the inability to adequately control tumor growth. Regardless, once a patient has received his or her limit, radiation treatment must stop in an effort to prevent healthy tissue damage.