Can radiotherapy be repeated in the same area?

What is reirradiation?

A new course of radiotherapy is given to a region that previously received radiation, with meaningful overlap between treated areas.

What information is needed?

The team should review earlier treatment summaries, dose plans when available and current imaging. These help estimate the combined dose to healthy organs.

Who may be eligible?

There is no universal rule. Prior dose, time elapsed, current disease, symptoms, treatment technique and patient health all affect the decision.

An important practical step

Tell the team about every earlier course of radiation, even if it was years ago or at a different hospital. Sometimes another treatment is safer.