Dr. Gore on Hypofractionated Radiation Therapy

Elizabeth M. Gore, MD, Professor of Radiation Oncology, Associate Director, Radiation Oncology, Medical College of Wisconsin, discusses the benefits of using hypofractionated instead of conventional radiation therapy.

Hypofractionated radiation is the process of delivering a higher dose of radiation over a shorter period of time. The current standard in locally advanced lung cancer for a curative treatment provides 3D conformal radiation every day for 6 weeks.

The shorter course of treatment that hypofractionated radiotherapy delivers decreases treatment to 15 visits over a 3 week period, providing 3-Gy per fraction for a total of 45-Gy. Data suggest this method is just as effective as conventional radiation, which provides 60-Gy over the course of 6 weeks.

Additionally, hypofractionation is less of a burden for the patient, and is a way to customize care for patients that cannot otherwise tolerate a full course of treatment or are unwilling to come in for treatment every day for 6 weeks.