Biological bases for modifying conventional fractionation regimens in radiotherapy

Radiobiological data concerning dose fractionation that have mostly become available only during the past decade could be used to design modifications of conventional radiotherapy that may be necessary in developing countries. Such modifications made in the past without the benefit of recent advances in radiobiological understanding have been disastrous (e.g. [23]). Since it is unreasonable to expect developing countries to support radiobiology research when there are more pressing priorities for their national resources, their interests could be best served by making available to them, through some agency such as the World Health Organization, the consultative services of radiotherapists and radiobiologists to resolve specific problems and thereby to help them achieve maximum cost-effectiveness in the utilization of their available radiotherapy facilities.