Half-body irradiation as a systemic therapy in oncology - preliminary report

Since 1988 in the Department of Radiotherapy, Medical Academy, Sofia, half-body irradiation of patients presenting malignant neoplasms is conducted as a systemic therapeutic approach. Its application for chemoconsolidation in patients with high risk of dissemination is studied as well as overall toxicity and tolerance. Half-body irradiation in adult patients is characterized by very good tolerance. During the observation period (1989 -1990) the series of eleven patients subjected to adjuvant half-body irradiation are free of clinical, X-ray and scintigraphic evidence of metastases and recurrences. The clinical follow-up proceeds and assessment of the immediate and long-term results is forthcoming. 3 tabs, 4 refs