The impact of acute radiation morbidity on therapeutic outcome

Abstract

Background: The acute radiation morbidity is associated with the radiation therapy outcome.

Methods: To give a summary of the impact of acute radiation morbidity on therapeutic outcome.

Results: Excessive acute side effects, most often seen in accelerated or hyperfractionated protocols or in combined radiochemotherapy may lead to interruptions of the radiation cycle and consecutively decreased tumor control rates. They may also result in an increase of consequential late damages. Furtheron, the patient may feel serious discomfort by subjective or objective complaints.

Conclusions: Further national and international efforts have to be performed to lower the acute radiation related morbidity and to increase the effectiveness of radiation treatment.