title: Tolerance of normal tissue to therapeutic irradiation.
abstract: The importance of knowledge on tolerance of normal tissue organs to irradiation by radiation oncologists cannot be overemphasized. Unfortunately, current knowledge is less than adequate. With the increasing use of 3-D treatment planning and dose delivery, this issue, particularly volumetric information, will become even more critical. As a part of the NCI contract N01 CM-47316, a task force, chaired by the primary author, was formed and an extensive literature search was carried out to address this issue. In this issue. In this manuscript we present the updated information on tolerance of normal tissues of concern in the protocols of this contract, based on available data, with a special emphasis on partial volume effects. Due to a lack of precise and comprehensive data base, opinions and experience of the clinicians from four universities involved in the contract have also been contributory. Obviously, this is not and cannot be a comprehensive work, which is beyond the scope of this contract.
authors.affiliation: Mallinckrodt Institute of Radiology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110.
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Emami
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Lyman
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Brown
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Coia
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Goitein
authors.forename: J E
authors.initials: JE
authors.lastname: Munzenrider
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Shank
authors.forename: L J
authors.initials: LJ
authors.lastname: Solin
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Wesson
mesh_terms: D001842:Bone and Bones / Q000528:radiation effects; D001921:Brain / Q000528:radiation effects; D006801:Humans; D007668:Kidney / Q000528:radiation effects; D008168:Lung / Q000528:radiation effects; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000532:radiotherapy*; D011829:Radiation Dosage; D011836:Radiation Tolerance; D011880:Radiotherapy Planning, Computer-Assisted; D013116:Spinal Cord / Q000528:radiation effects; D013961:Thyroid Gland / Q000528:radiation effects