Prophylactic cranial irradiation for ALL is administered to a total dose of:

Prophylactic cranial irradiation (PCI) is a preventive treatment commonly used in patients with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) to reduce the risk of central nervous system (CNS) relapse. The appropriate total dose for this procedure in the context of ALL has been established through clinical protocols and studies.

A total dose of 1800 cGy is considered standard for prophylactic cranial irradiation in this scenario. This dosage is typically fractionated and delivered over a series of treatments, allowing for effective CNS coverage while minimizing the risk of toxicity to surrounding healthy brain tissue. The intention behind this specified dose is to achieve sufficient radiation exposure to eliminate any potential leukemic cells that may be present within the CNS, thus preventing future CNS involvement.

Higher doses, such as 3000 cGy, 4500 cGy, or 6000 cGy, generally apply to therapeutic treatments rather than prophylactic regimens for ALL. These higher doses may carry increased risks of acute side effects and potential long-term sequelae, particularly in young patients or those receiving treatment for ALL. Therefore, the 1800 cGy regimen is carefully balanced to provide an effective preventive strategy against CNS leukemia relapse while keeping the side effects manageable.