Essentially, all tumors are surrounded by normal tissue. It is the presence of the normal tissue that limits the amount of radiation that can be safely administered. Fractionation allows healthy, surrounding tissues to repair radiation effects in a way that single fraction radiosurgery cannot. Fractionation, therefore, exploits the difference between normal tissues and tumors thus resulting in a safer and superior outcome. That is why fractionated radiosurgery is so important.
Fractionation protects normal, surrounding brain.
For patients with brain tumors, the desired treatment is one that produces the most appropriate and beneficial doses of radiation delivered to the tumor while minimizing effects to the normal healthy brain. Fractionated stereotactic radiosurgery helps us achieve this goal most elegantly. Malignant primary tumors including astrocytomas and glioblastomas as well as metastatic cancers to the brain are frequently treated at Staten Island University Hospital. We can improve outcome in patients with single or multiple sites of disease compared to those who might otherwise receive standard radiation or radiosurgery. Benefits of fractionation are numerous.