ICRP Publication 44

Protection of the patient in radiotherapy requires, uniquely, not the avoidance of radiation exposure or even the avoidance of risk of severe damage to some tissues. Rather, it involves achieving the optimal balance between the efficacy of sterilising the malignant growth and the minimizing of treatment related complications by keeping radiation doses as low as reasonably achievable. This report presents a broad overview which will be useful to all involved in the proper therapeutic application of radiation.