Fast neutron therapy for soft tissue sarcoma

Journal Article · Thu Oct 01 04:00:00 EDT 1987 · Int. J. Radiat. Oncol., Biol. Phys.; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1016/0360-3016(87)90316-6· OSTI ID:5901420

Pickering, D G; Stewart, J S; Rampling, R; Errington, R D; Stamp, G; Chia, Y

Seventy-nine patients with soft tissue sarcoma were treated with fast neutron therapy at the Hammersmith Hospital, MRC Cyclotron Unit. Sixty-six of these, treated between 1971 and 1983 were assessable. The histology was reviewed and graded in 82% of cases and tumors divided into groups according to maximum diameter. In sixteen patients, who were irradiated following complete macroscopic removal of tumor, there was 94% local control and 86% survived 5 years. Of the 50 patients who had gross tumors present 62% were greater than 10 cm in diameter, and 20 were recurrent after previous radiotherapy or surgery or both. Sixty-eight per cent of gross tumors completely regressed and local control was 52%. The main cause of death was metastatic spread, and median survival was 63 months for Grade 1 patients, 9 months for Grade 2, and 7 months for Grade 3. Thus, there was a significant advantage to patients with Grade 1 tumor but little difference between Grades 2 and 3. Twenty-seven patients experienced late complications of treatment, 67% of which involved the skin predominantly and were related to the low energy of neutrons used. Seventeen of the 27 had received previous radiotherapy. Neutron therapy given in this dose and fractionation produced a higher local control rate than photon therapy, but complications were more frequent. Since these mainly involved the skin a lower level of complications may be anticipated using higher energy neutrons which will have a more even distribution of dose and lower skin dosage. Forty-eight per cent of patients developed metastatic disease, indicating the need for effective systemic therapy, especially in Grades 2 and 3 tumors.

• Research Organization: Fast Neutron Clinic, London, England
• OSTI ID: 5901420
• Journal Information: Int. J. Radiat. Oncol., Biol. Phys.; (United States), Journal Name: Int. J. Radiat. Oncol., Biol. Phys.; (United States) Vol. 13:10; ISSN IOBPD
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

550603* -- Medicine-- External Radiation in Therapy-- (1980-)
62 RADIOLOGY AND NUCLEAR MEDICINE
BARYONS
DISEASES
ELEMENTARY PARTICLES
FAST NEUTRONS
FERMIONS
FRACTIONATED IRRADIATION
HADRONS
IRRADIATION
MEDICINE
METASTASES
NEOPLASMS
NEUTRONS
NUCLEAR MEDICINE
NUCLEONS
PATIENTS
RADIOLOGY
RADIOTHERAPY
SARCOMAS
SURVIVAL CURVES
THERAPY