In radiation therapy, what can lead to failure of local control?

In radiation therapy, the local control of a tumor is critically dependent on delivering an adequate dose of radiation to eradicate the cancer cells. Under dosing the tumor can lead to insufficient radiation exposure, allowing surviving cancer cells to proliferate and potentially resulting in tumor regrowth or metastasis.

By delivering less radiation than necessary, the treatment may not effectively disrupt the tumor’s growth and reproduction mechanisms, which are essential for achieving local control. Ideally, the prescribed dose takes into account the type and stage of the tumor, as well as the sensitivity of the surrounding healthy tissues. Adequate dosing is key to ensuring the tumor is treated effectively while minimizing damage to normal tissues. Therefore, any failure in appropriately administering the correct dose can directly impact the success of the treatment.