How much radiation was given to the base of tongue in the treatment of a patient on 04/27/2023?

In the context of radiation therapy, especially when treating cancers such as those affecting the base of the tongue, the total dose and fractionation scheme are crucial for achieving effective treatment while minimizing damage to surrounding healthy tissue.

The selected answer indicates that the patient received a total radiation dose of 45 Gy delivered in 25 fractions. This approach is consistent with standard fractionation techniques used in radiation oncology, where doses are divided into smaller, manageable amounts to allow the patient to tolerate the treatment and to enhance the effect of the radiation on cancer cells while giving normal tissues some time to recover.

Administering 45 Gy can be appropriate for certain treatment protocols, especially for head and neck cancers. Such doses within a 25-fraction schedule suggest a careful balance between efficacy and safety, allowing sufficient dose delivery over time to target the tumor while attempting to mitigate potential acute and late toxicities associated with the treatment.

The choice of this specific dose and fractionation scheme would align with clinical practice guidelines that consider factors such as tumor type, tumor stage, and surrounding tissue sensitivity. Such dosing is generally prescribed after thorough planning and assessment by radiation oncologists based on the patient's unique clinical scenario.