The influence of the extracorporal blood irradiation on the chronic lymphadenosis, paying special attention to the T-, B-, and O-lymphocytes

This paper discusses investigations on the influencece of extracorporal blood irradiation (ECIB) on the cells of the peripheral blood including the T-, B-, and O-lymphocytes and on the clinical symptoms of 12 patients with chronic lymphadenosis. These results were compared with those of 12 patients who had been treated with medicine (Leukeran, Decortin), 12 untreated patients, and 12 normal subjects. In 35 cases, a proliferation of B-cells could be observed as cause of the Leukeremia, in one case a T-cell variant is being discussed. Using ECIB, it was possible to achieve a significant reduction of the total lymphocyte numbers without side effects. In 10 cases, the lymphcyte numbers at the end of an irradiation sequence were between 10.000 and 30.000 μ/l. The average lymphocyte numbers of the patients treated with medicine and of the untreated patients were higher. Applying ECIB, a highly significant reduction in the relative and absolute B-lymphocyte numbers could be obtained. The transitory doses during ECIB were around 300 and 700 rad. Between the total radiation dose and the relative lymphocyte reduction a linear or exponential coherence could not be detected definitely. Trambocytropenia were not caused by the irradiation treatment. In the contrary, a significant increase in the number of the thrombocytes could be observed in 4 cases. Lymphatic bone marrow infiltrations and enaemias improved only very slightly. (orig.)