Radiotherapy is one of the most potent forms of anticancer treatment. The aim is to deliver lethal doses of radiation to the tumour while sparing surrounding tissues as much as possible.

However different tumours respond differently to radiation. In turn the response of normal tissues can be very different again.

Radiobiology is the study of the effects of radiation on cells (both tumour and normal tissue). Our understanding of this subject and the factors that determine the sensitivity of cells to radiation allows us to exploit the difference between tumour and normal cells in order to maximise the chance of success.

This talk will cover our understanding of radiobiology and the important factors which determine radiosensitivity and how this influences our decision making in the clinical environment.