What is the primary purpose of fractionation in radiation therapy?

The primary purpose of fractionation in radiation therapy is to allow normal tissues to repair between treatment sessions. Radiation therapy uses a high dose of radiation to target and destroy cancer cells, but it can also damage healthy tissues surrounding the tumor. By dividing the total radiation dose into smaller fractions administered over several sessions, there is an opportunity for the normal cells to recover and repair from the radiation damage. This approach optimizes the therapeutic effects on the tumor while minimizing adverse effects on normal tissue, ultimately enhancing the effectiveness of the treatment and improving the patient's overall outcome.

Using fractionation effectively manages the balance between maximizing tumor cell kill and preserving the integrity and function of surrounding healthy tissues. This is key to improving the tolerance of the treatment and reducing the chances of complications, which can arise from delivering a single, large dose of radiation.