Radiotherapy: hyperfractionation: practice question

A Radiology question in the style of the NEET PG paper. Answer it first, then read why the right option is right and why each of the others is wrong.

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Radiology · Radiotherapy: hyperfractionation

Sample item

In a hyperfractionated schedule, smaller doses are given two or more times daily. What biological principle makes this attractive?

AThe total number of fractions is reducedBLate-responding normal tissues are spared more by small fractions, permitting a higher total doseCTumour cells repair damage better between fractionsDAcute-responding tissues become more resistant

Original practice item, not a recalled exam question. Nothing here is recorded.

The answer and the reasoning

B. Late-responding normal tissues are spared more by small fractions, permitting a higher total dose

Late-responding tissues are highly sensitive to fraction size, while tumours and acute-reacting tissues are less so. Small fractions therefore protect late tissues, so a higher total dose can be delivered for the same late toxicity.

Option by option

A. The total number of fractions is reduced
Hyperfractionation increases the number of fractions.
B. Late-responding normal tissues are spared more by small fractions, permitting a higher total dose (correct)
Correct. Small fractions favour sparing late-responding tissues.
C. Tumour cells repair damage better between fractions
Repair favours normal late tissue, and tumour repair is not the intended gain.
D. Acute-responding tissues become more resistant
Acute tissues are not made resistant, and acute toxicity may rise.

Source note: Original NextPrep sample item — pending expert review. This item is original practice material awaiting independent expert review, so confirm important facts in a standard textbook.

Questions about this Radiology question

What is the answer to this Radiology question?

The best answer is B, Late-responding normal tissues are spared more by small fractions, permitting a higher total dose. Late-responding tissues are highly sensitive to fraction size, while tumours and acute-reacting tissues are less so.

Why is "The total number of fractions is reduced" not the answer?

Hyperfractionation increases the number of fractions.

Why is "Tumour cells repair damage better between fractions" not the answer?

Repair favours normal late tissue, and tumour repair is not the intended gain.

Why is "Acute-responding tissues become more resistant" not the answer?

Acute tissues are not made resistant, and acute toxicity may rise.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Radiotherapy: hyperfractionation in Radiology. Small fractions therefore protect late tissues, so a higher total dose can be delivered for the same late toxicity.

How hard is this question?

We tag it as a multi-step question: it asks you to combine more than one idea. The tag is our own editorial judgement, not an official difficulty rating, so read the reason for every option, not only the answer.

How should I study Radiotherapy: hyperfractionation?

Learn signs with the image, and the disease they point to. Then use the flashcards and the other Radiology questions on this site to test what stuck.

Is this a real NEET PG question?

No. It is an original practice item (editorial status: sample, version 1). NextPrep does not publish recalled or leaked questions, and independent faculty review of this item has not been completed yet, so confirm important facts in a standard textbook.