Acta radiologica: oncology, radiation, physics, biology最新文献

An analysis of 308 patients with carcinoma of the larynx was performed with respect to local recurrence and complications in relation to treatment level. The patients received primary irradiation with some difference in absorbed dose but with an equal fractionation schedule. Analysed in subgroups, correlations between local recurrence and treatment level were either demonstrated or strongly indicated. This is confirmed in a comparison with approximately 1 500 cases collected from the literature. Correlations between complications and treatment level were not found, but nevertheless indicated with respect to late edemas, which again are supported by comparison with approximately 800 cases collected from the literature. The risk of pharyngo-cutaneous fistula after total laryngectomy seems to be rather independent of irradiation level, although slightly dependent on field size. An optimum level of treatment has been estimated and brought into use since January 1978.

The potential radiation protective effect of orgotein, a metalloprotein with superoxide dismutase activity, was investigated in L1A2 tumour cells in vitro, jejunal crypt cells and C3H mouse mammary carcinoma in vivo. No effect of orgotein, given either 2 hours before irradiation or 30 min after, was observed compared to the effect of irradiation alone. Thus, it was concluded that orgotein did not influence the primary radiation response in air in mammalian cells.

Selective bronchial angiography was performed in 26 patients with bronchogenic carcinoma in connection with intraarterial infusions of cytostatic drugs. The angiographic extension of the tumor was correlated to data obtained at surgery, mediastinoscopy or autopsy. Bronchial angiography is not suitable as a routine procedure in the preoperative evaluation of patients with bronchogenic carcinoma but may contribute to a more precise staging of the tumor.

Twenty-two patients with advanced squamous cell carcinoma of the oropharynx and hypopharynx (T3T4-N2N3) were irradiated with curative intention. The treatment volume was minimized as much as possible with the aim to increase tumour control and decrease morbidity. Planning and results as well as the complications during and after the irradiation are discussed.

A retrospective review of 302 patients with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma is reported. The tumors were classified according to a modified Lukes & Collins scheme and their growth pattern was analysed. Nodular growth was scored in 3 degrees. Nodularity was found to be correlated with certain clinical features and of great relevance for prognosis. The growth pattern was also correlated with cell type, but even within a certain cytologic type, nodular tumors were associated with better survival than diffuse tumors.

Effects of presumptive radiation protective substances on physiologic criteria such as oxygen consumption, rectal temperature, respiratory and acoustic response are described. The rate of oxygen consumption and rectal temperature cannot entirely be considered a reliable measure of radiation protection. Some substances cause a decrease in the investigated parameters, strong enough to incapacitate the treated individuals severely. This limits the use of such substances. It is suggested that not only the effect on the survival but also the metabolic effects on the organism caused by the substance have to be investigated.

The extent of radiation induced immune suppression was analysed in 100 patients with carcinoma of the breast. The relative changes of lymphocyte counts and stimulations by PHA and PPD were similar in patients who differed with regard to age, size of tumour and its malignancy grade or axillary node condition. Moreover, no difference in the degree of radiation induced immune suppression existed between patients who developed recurrent disease and those who remained free of disease during a follow-up period of 4 1/2 to 7 years.

Bone mineral content (BMC) and bone mineral concentration (BMC') of the forearm were determined by photon absorptiometry in 20 untreated hyperthyroid patients and in 33 patients previously treated for hyperthyroidism. In untreated hyperthyroidism a significant decrease was found in both BMC and BMC'. In treated hyperthyroidism BMC and BMC' were normalized. The findings suggest that a previous hyperthyroid state is not a risk factor for development of spontaneous fractures providing the hyperthyroid state is effectively treated.

The protective effect of hypoxia, induced by degradable microspheres, against the development of fibrosis was investigated after single-dose irradiation of exteriorized rat ileum. Evaluation, based upon microscopy and analysis of hydroxyproline in protected and nonprotected gut segments, demonstrated an evident protective effect at doses of 15 to 25 Gy.