Fast neutrons compared with megavoltage x-rays in the treatment of patients with supratentorial glioblastoma: a controlled pilot study

Journal Article · Sat Mar 01 00:00:00 EST 1980 · Int. J. Radiat. Oncol., Biol. Phys.; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1016/0360-3016(80)90131-5· OSTI ID:5006183

Catterall, M ^[1]; Bloom, H J.G.; Ash, D V; Walsh, L; Richardson, A; Uttley, D; Gowing, N F.C.; Lewis, P; Chaucer, B

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1. Hammersmith Hospital, London, England

The radioresistance of glioblastoma presumably results from the presence of hypoxic cells. In an attempt to overcome this problem, fast neutrons were compared in a controlled pilot study with conventional megavoltage x-rays (photons). 63 patients entered the study between January, 1973 and July, 1976, 30 patients received neutron and 33 received x-ray therapy. The overall mean survival was 11.4 months for those who received photon and 10 months for those who received neutron therapy. Survival rates at 6 and 12 months were 72 and 36% respectively for photon treated patients, and 77 and 30% for those treated with neutrons. Although neutron therapy did not improve overall survival, examination of the histological material indicated a considerably greater antitumor effect after neutron therapy than after treatment with photons. In the neutron treated group, at post-mortem examination no tumor or only minimal tumor was found in 10 of 12 patients and in one of 4 patients where tissue was obtained from a second craniotomy. In some cases, there was evidence of diffuse damage to normal brain which was in keeping with a clinical syndrome of progressive dementia without localizing signs. Dose, time, and volume factors for neutron therapy to the brain and possible ways of improving results are discussed.

• OSTI ID: 5006183
• Journal Information: Int. J. Radiat. Oncol., Biol. Phys.; (United States), Vol. 6:3
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

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NEUTRONS
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