Radiotherapy : clinical aspects of neutron therapy

Since the commissioning of the isocentric neutron therapy beam at the National Accelerator Centre for clinical applications, nearly 200 patients have been treated according to the principles and strict guidelines of several national clinical trials. A study was undertaken to evaluate dose levels of 17 neutron gray and 19 neutron gray in the treatment of histologically confirmed breast carcinoma. To date 25 patients have been randomized for therapy and response to treatment has been evaluated at 3 months using the standard UICC criteria. The 50% complete response to treatment with 19 Gy is most encouraging, as is the 29% partial response rate. In the two years since treatment began 27 patients with salivary gland adenocarcinomas have undergone neutron therapy. Of the 27 patients treated with curative intent, 18 are available for review with a minimum at-risk period of 6 months. Two new clinical studies are awaiting evaluation by the relevant ethics and research committees. These studies are: locally advanced squamous cell carcinoma of the oesophagus, and recurrent/residual adenocarcinoma of the rectum. 4 tabs