This handbook summarizes the data and techniques for hypofractionation and stereotactic
radiation in a clinically-accessible way. Hypofractionated radiation therapy which consists of
larger-dose radiation treatments that are given over a shorter time period compared to
conventional radiation fraction sizes is used to treat a variety of cancers including
prostate breast lung and colorectal. Conventional radiation therapy and hypofractionated
radiation therapy have different effectiveness rates for cancer treatment and have different
impacts on normal tissues in terms of causing toxicity. There is a significant and growing body
of literature on the use of different dosing regimens to treat a variety of cancers and
radiation oncologists need to keep up with the various dosing schedules the effect of each
regimen on cancer control in different cancers and how the different schedules affect each
organ in terms of toxicity. The book thus provides concise information ranging from
commonly-used dose-fractionation schemes for hypofractionated and stereotactic body
radiotherapy to simulation and treatment specifications to published safety and efficacy data.
Chapters additionally examine the biological rationales for the efficacy of hypofractionated
radiation present clinical studies that demonstrate the efficacy and safety of
hypofractionated radiation treatment in a variety of cancers and describe the advances in
technology that have allowed hypofractionated radiation to be safely given. This is an ideal
guide for radiation oncology clinicians and trainees.
