[Influence of dose-time relationship on the pathogenesis of peripheral neuropathy (author's transl)].

The development of peripheral neuropathies of cranial nerves and of the brachial plexus following curative deoses of irradiation is closely related with the total applied, the number and size of the individual doses per fraction and the overall time. Additional important factors for the occurrence of these late complications are the volume of tissue irradiated and the stage of disease. In the pathogenesis of peripheral neuropathy a combined effect of different factors seems likely.