Cumulative radiation damage and cumulative radiation effect.

Different mathematical formulas capable of replacing CRE have been analyzed. The purpose was to develop an expression which would yield a value identical with CRE for regular treatment schedules, but would represent more clearly and more truthfully the radiation damage of tissue. This quantity has been called cumulative radiation damage (CRD). Its unit is adequately called CRD unit. CRD does not require a separate gap correction, as does CRE, it is easy to use, explicit and unambiguous. CRE, CRD and some other formulas have been compared in different types of radiation therapy.