Multifractionation effect in radiotherapy of rectal cancer

The paper is concerned with the substantiation of multifractionated gamma therapy and the results of the use of this regimen in radiotherapy of rectal cancer. The following scheme of irradiation have been proposed: a single focal dose of 2 Gy is delivered not once a day as in routine fractionation but twice a day with a 4-hour interval. A radiotherapeutic course has been divided into 3 stages of 5 days each with 5-day intervals in-between. The course integral focal dose was 60 Gy, ''time-dose-fractionation'' factors - 140, the equivalent total dose - 83 Gy. Statistically significant improvement of immediate results and a decrease in the number and expression of radiation reactions were noted. Earlier (as compared to routine fractionation) appearance of a symptomatic effect and the reduction of a time-period of a radiotherapeutic course in bed-days by 30% were also noted