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Dose fractionation effects are utilised in the treatment of cancer with radiation therapy. When the total dose of radiation is divided into several, smaller doses over a period of several days, there are fewer toxic effects on healthy cells. This maximizes the effect of radiation on cancer and minimizes the negative side effects. A typical fractionation scheme divides the dose into 30 units delivered every weekday over six weeks. Hypofractionation is a treatment regimen that delivers higher doses of radiation in fewer visits, which tends to lower the effects of accelerated tumor growth that typically occurs during the later stages of radiotherapy. Hyperfractionation is dividing the same total dose into more deliveries, so that treatments are given more than once a day. Hyperfractionated radiation therapy is given over the same period of time as standard radiation therapy. Accelerated fractionation has also been investigated.

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