The clinical significance of different methods of estimating tumour dose.

Abstract

When the tolerable dose which may be delivered to a tumour is considered, it is frequently apparent that experienced radiotherapists differ in their estimations of this level. The difference in their experiences may not be related to quality of radiation, overall time of administration, or degree of fractionation, all of which are well understood; and the solution of this difference is not at once apparent. A remark which may commonly be heard as a suggested explanation is “Your rontgen is hotter than mine”. Behind this facetious explanation of the difference lurks the uncomfortable suspicion that possibly it is the truth! It was thought by the authors that it would be of value to estimate whether there was a difference in dosage level as measured by one centre or another, and to evaluate whether the observable discrepancy could be of such degree as to be of significance when considered in relation to the treatment of patients. The problem, in fact, was whether the results of different methods of determin...