Alpha/beta ratio
A number for each tissue or tumour that says how much it cares about the size of each radiation dose. Low (around 2 to 3): very sensitive to big fractions, like the spinal cord and prostate cancer. High (around 10): mostly cares about total dose, like most tumours.
Overview
In the linear-quadratic model the alpha/beta ratio is the dose at which the linear and quadratic parts of cell killing are equal. Late-responding normal tissues and a few tumours (prostate, breast) have low ratios, so large fractions hurt or help them disproportionately; most tumours and acutely reacting tissues have high ratios. The ratio explains why hypofractionation is safe and effective in breast and prostate cancer and why the spinal cord is spared by small fractions.
Showing the technology this term belongs to: The linear-quadratic model and fractionation.
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