How often is radiation therapy administered for squamous cell carcinoma?
Aug 21, 2025
Source: Cainiu Health
Dr. Yang Ziqi
Introduction
Under normal circumstances, the frequency of radiotherapy for squamous cell carcinoma should be determined based on the patient's condition, tumor location, and treatment plan. Most commonly, it is administered once daily, five times per week, with each session being relatively short. The specific schedule should follow the doctor's instructions. During radiotherapy, it is important to keep the skin at the irradiated area clean and dry, avoiding friction and sun exposure. In terms of diet, increasing intake of high-quality protein and vitamins can help enhance the body's tolerance to treatment.
Generally, the frequency of radiotherapy for squamous cell carcinoma needs to be determined according to the patient's condition, tumor location, and treatment plan. Most commonly, it is administered once daily, five times per week. Each session is relatively short, but specific treatment schedules should follow a physician's instructions. Detailed analysis is as follows:
Radiation therapy for squamous cell carcinoma often employs conventional fractionated radiotherapy, which involves one treatment session daily, with each dose ranging from 1.8 to 2.0 Gy. Treatment is typically given five days a week, followed by a two-day rest period. This approach aims to kill cancer cells while minimizing damage to surrounding healthy tissues, allowing the body time to repair itself. The total treatment duration varies depending on the tumor's location, ranging from 3–4 weeks to 6–7 weeks. The total radiation dose must be adjusted based on the tumor size and depth of invasion.
If the tumor volume is large or rapid disease control is required, hypofractionated radiotherapy might be used. This involves increasing the dose per session to 2.5–3.0 Gy, with 3–4 treatment sessions per week. This approach shortens the overall treatment course, but requires strict evaluation of normal tissue tolerance. During radiotherapy, the patient's body position must be fixed to ensure precise targeting. Each treatment session usually lasts only a few minutes and hospitalization is generally unnecessary.
In daily life, during radiotherapy, it is important to keep the skin at the irradiated area clean and dry, avoiding friction and direct sun exposure. Diet should include increased intake of high-quality protein and vitamins to enhance the body's tolerance to treatment.
