Radiotherapy of the rhabdomyosarcoma R1H of the rat: hyperfractionation--126 fractions applied within 6 weeks.

The effect of a hyperfractionated irradiation treatment on the response of the rhabdomyosarcoma R1H of the rat was studied. Tumors were irradiated under ambient conditions with 126 fractions of X rays, applied in 3 fractions per day with a time interval of 8 +/- 1 hr between fractions on 7 days per week during 6 weeks. The total dose ranged from 54 to 90 Gy, that is the dose per fraction ranged from 0.43 to 0.71 Gy. Tumor response was assessed by tumor control probability and tumor net growth delay. The tumor response to the hyperfractionated treatment was found to be slightly more effective compared to the results obtained in a previous study where treatments with 6, 18, 30, and 42 fractions were applied. Since normal tissues are considerably spared with increased numbers of fractions, clinical studies with hyperfractionation seem to be very promising.