Hyperfractionated total body irradiation for bone marrow transplantation: early results in leukemia patients

Journal Article · Sat Aug 01 04:00:00 EDT 1981 · Int. J. Radiat. Oncol., Biol. Phys.; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1016/0360-3016(81)90170-X· OSTI ID:5888290

Shank, B; Hopfan, S; Kim, J H

Bone marrow transplantation following cytoreduction with total body irradiation and cyclophosphamide has previously been shown to be of value in treating refractory leukemias. Major problems, however, have been fatal interstitial pneumonitis and leukemic relapse. In an attempt to minimize these problems, we initiated a new hyperfractionated regimen for total body irradiation, with partial lung sparing. From May 1979 through July 1980, we treated 48 leukemia patients according to this regimen, varying in age from 1.5 to 42 years old (mean age: 18 y). Analysis in September 1980, with follow-up from 2 to 16 months, showed that we have a significantly reduced incidence of interstitial pneumonitis compared with single dose (1000 rad) irradiation (33 vs 70%), as well as decreased deaths attributable to interstitial pneumonitis (23 vs 50%). This is reflected in the survival curves, with loss of the early drop in survival previously observed with single dose irradiation. One year actuarial survival was 65% for acute lymphocytic leukemia (n = 16) and 72% for actue non-lymphocytic leukemia (n = 29). This compares with only 17% for acute non-lymphocytic leukemia patients (n = 12) on our previous single dose regimen. Age was also found to be an important parameter for both survival and interstitial pneumonitis.

• Research Organization: Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, NY
• OSTI ID: 5888290
• Journal Information: Int. J. Radiat. Oncol., Biol. Phys.; (United States), Journal Name: Int. J. Radiat. Oncol., Biol. Phys.; (United States) Vol. 7:8; ISSN IOBPD
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

550603* -- Medicine-- External Radiation in Therapy-- (1980-)
62 RADIOLOGY AND NUCLEAR MEDICINE
AGE DEPENDENCE
ANIMAL TISSUES
BODY
BONE MARROW
DISEASES
DOSES
EXTERNAL IRRADIATION
FRACTIONATED IRRADIATION
HEMATOPOIETIC SYSTEM
HEMIC DISEASES
IRRADIATION
LEUKEMIA
MEDICINE
NEOPLASMS
NUCLEAR MEDICINE
ORGANS
PATIENTS
PNEUMONITIS
RADIATION DOSES
RADIOLOGY
RADIOTHERAPY
THERAPY
TISSUES
TRANSPLANTS
WHOLE-BODY IRRADIATION