The impact of acute radiation morbidity on therapeutic outcome.
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.
Zimmermann
J S
JS
Feldmann
H J
HJ
Dörr
W
W
D006801:Humans; D009017:Morbidity; D011788:Quality of Life; D011832:Radiation Injuries / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D011878:Radiotherapy / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000379:methods; D011879:Radiotherapy Dosage; D016896:Treatment Outcome