Clinical and practical considerations in the design of appropriate compensation schedules following treatment interruptions.

Abstract

Compensatory dose calculations to mitigate the deleterious effect of unscheduled treatment interruptions remain important. They may be increasingly required during and after epidemics, as with the present Covid-19 virus. The information presented to those involved in the actual dose estimations is often limited, thereby increasing the likelihood of confusion, further time delays and possibly incorrect decisions. This article sets out what aspects need to be considered by the Clinical Oncologist (or Radiation Oncologist), and the reasons why, in order to provide greater clarity. The key issues are: (a) the biological nature of the tumour (and hence its repopulation potential), (b) patient age and pre-existing medical risk factors that influence radiation tolerance, the use of chemotherapy, surgery etc, (c) the acceptable dose limits of the relevant normal tissues at risk and (d) consideration of the possibility of further field size adjustments, a change in treatment plan or acceptance of a greater role for alternative forms of radiation treatment (e.g. brachytherapy, electron boosts, etc.) or reliance on radical surgery. Only then can a compensatory schedule be more safely estimated.