Acta radiologica: therapy, physics, biology最新文献

The healing among patients with squamous cell carcinoma of the uterine cervix in stages I B and II has been calculated in 189 patients from the 1950's and in 271 patients from 1969 to 1973. The observation period was 2 years. The first material was treated using the Stockholm technique. Extraperitoneal lymphadenesctomy was also performed in 59 per cent. The second material was treated with whole-pelvis irradiation using external high-voltage technique without central shielding, compelemented with intracavitary treatment using modified Stockholm applicators. The frequency of central recurrences, metastases on the pelvic wall after completion of treatment and deaths from carcinoma for stages I B and II were in material I approximately 6 and 20 per cent, approximately 8 and 14 per cent, and approximately 12 and 22 per cent, respectively; and in material II 9 and 20 per cent, 3 and 11 per cent, and 9 and 22 per cent, respectively.

A series of 1 139 patients with invasive carcinoma of the cervix uteri who received a complete course of treatment by means of external irradiation followed by intracavitary curietherapy was evaluated in order to assess the results of treatment and, in particular, the radiation complications induced. Complications developed in 145 instances (12.7%). Severe complications occurred in only 3 per cent. Twenty-four cases had more than one complication. Rectosigmoidal injuries accounted for 72 per cent of all complications, and appeared earlier than did bladder complications and within the first two years after treatment. No apparent correlation between age and the occurrence of complications was found. The rate was higher in early stages. The radiation complications did not adversely affect the survival results.

The influence of temperature on the early effects ionizing irradiation has been analysed using the trachea of the rabbit. ATP is assumed to be released by the effect of irradiation on the mitochondrial membranes, which increases the mucociliary activity in the epithelium, registered second-by-second during irradiation performed at 20 degrees C, 30 degrees C, 37 degrees C and 40 degrees C. The early effects of irradiation depended on the temperature, while hyperthermia does not potentiate this condition. A possible explanation is that phosphofructokinase, which is probably stimulated by irradiation, is inactivated at lower temperatures.

Involvement of the central nervous system in patients with with Burkitt's lymphoma was treated by superfractionated irradiation. The primary effect in 20 patients is reported. In 3 of 5 patients with paraplegia, complete regression was achieved. Only one patient of 6 with cranial neuropathy and irradiated to the brain improved. In 8 patients with either cranial neuropathy or other neurologic symptoms of signs, the brain and spinal cord were irradiated. Three of these patients, with recurrences after previous intrathecal chemotherapy, responded with complete regression.

Absorption of glucose and sucrose by intestine from supralethally irradiated rats was investigated using an in vivo preparation. An activation of glucose absorption one day day after exposure is followed by a marked fall in glucose and sucrose absorption on day 3. Experiments under different conditions of loading indicate that at 20 hours active transport of glucose is already impaired although the maximum velocity is increased. After 3 days maximum velocity and active transport decrease markedly. Inverstase activity increases after 20 hours, but this is not accompanied by an increased sucrose absorption. The defect in sucrose absorption 72 hours after irradiation is paralleled by a decrease in invertase activity.

A review of the morphologic, biochemical and clinical effects of hyperthermia on malignant cells indicates the presence of two principally different heat-induced alterations. (1) A 'destructive' lysosomal dependent cytoplasmic reaction dominates the tumour-cell devitalization in vivo, probably influenced by the characteristic tumour cell environment. (2) 'Repressive' nuclear abnormalities may be observed, but seem to be secondary in the in vivo reaction. However, under certain conditions (combined treatment modalities) this nuclear effect may be of importance.

The bone mineral content in the distal radius, in the midshaft radius and ulna was measured in 83 healthy males and 89 females from 11 to 87 years old using the 241Am gamma ray attenuation method. The age distributions of different 'density' quantities characterizing bone mineral are presented and the usefulness of these quantities is discussed.

The xerographic technique has been introduced at Radiumhemmet for direct field control in therapy with high energy photon radiation (60Co-unit, 6 MV linear accelerator and 42 MeV betatron). The xerograms are of a sufficiently good quality for this purpose. The advantages and disadvantages connected with the xerographic facilities at present available are discussed.