A model for surviving fraction after radiation dose . Independent fully repaired fractions add their logarithmic effects. For equal fractions and no repopulation, dividing the total log kill by gives the biologically effective dose . Comparing tissue types requires their own parameters and the same stated repair assumptions.
Use the linear-quadratic radiobiology model, independent fractions with complete inter-fraction repair, and no tumour repopulation. For fractions of dose , the logarithmic cell kill is . Dividing by defines the biologically effective dose,
For the tumour, the original schedule gives . A fraction contributes , so precisely such fractions give the same tumour biologically effective dose. The physical total dose changes from to .
For the specified normal-tissue , the original and altered schedules give
Thus the normal-tissue model predicts an increase of , or about , despite the smaller total physical dose. The smaller normal-tissue makes increasing fraction size relatively more costly. These are comparisons within the source's hypothetical radiobiological model and equal-dose geometry, not individualized treatment prescriptions.[ref]