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Centigray [cGy]: A Practical Unit in Radiation Therapy

The centigray (cGy) is a unit of absorbed radiation dose equal to 0.01 grays (Gy), or one-hundredth of a gray. It is widely used in clinical settings, especially in radiation therapy, where doses need to be both precise and clinically meaningful. One centigray equals 10 milligrays (mGy), making it a convenient unit for prescribing and documenting treatment doses.

In cancer treatment, therapeutic radiation is typically delivered in fractions, with each session often delivering 180–200 cGy (or 1.8–2.0 Gy) to the target area. Using centigrays allows healthcare professionals to express these fractions in whole numbers, simplifying treatment planning and communication. For example, a full course of radiation therapy might involve a total dose of 6000 cGy over several weeks.

Outside of therapy, the cGy is less commonly used, but it remains important in any context where mid-level radiation doses are applied or studied. Its use bridges the gap between small exposures (measured in mGy or µGy) and large, high-dose applications (measured in Gy), making the centigray a key unit in applied radiation science.

Decigray [dGy]: A Less Common Intermediate Radiation Unit

The decigray (dGy) is a unit of absorbed radiation dose equal to 0.1 gray (Gy), or 100 milligrays (mGy). While it is part of the SI-derived units, the decigray is not commonly used in practice, as other units like centigray (cGy) and gray (Gy) are more prevalent, especially in medical and scientific fields.

In principle, the decigray could be used in contexts where doses fall between 0.1 Gy and 1 Gy, such as in certain diagnostic procedures, radiation accidents, or research settings. However, in radiation therapy, doses are typically measured in centigrays (cGy) for convenience and precision, while in radiation protection, milligray (mGy) or gray (Gy) are standard.

Although technically correct and valid under the metric system, the dGy sees limited real-world application. Its rarity is mostly due to the widespread clinical adoption of other units that align better with common dosing practices and allow for clearer communication among healthcare professionals and researchers.

In summary, the decigray represents a moderate radiation dose, but is rarely used due to the preference for more established units in both low- and high-dose radiation scenarios.