Specific integral dose: a reconsideration of the integral dose concept.

The integral dose represents the total energy deposited by ionizing radiation within a body. Its distribution within normal tissues can be quite variable, depending upon beam energy and radiation technique. A close look at the concept of integral dose in its various forms should be helpful in quantifying the radiation burden borne by healthy tissues outside of the target volume. The integral dose, integral target dose and relative integral target dose will be reviewed, and the concept of specific integral dose will be introduced, using as examples the external irradiation of the urinary bladder employing various energies and techniques, as well as the intracavitary therapy of gynecological cancer using an afterloading apparatus.