Contribution on postoperative radiotherapy of the hypernephroid carcinoma of the kidneys

A retrospective study was carried out in sixty-eight patients having received radiotherapy at any time during the period between 1st June 1977 and 31st May 1986. Treatment was based on a uniform method of irradiation. The following findings were revealed: Five-year-survival was observed for 68% of the total study cohort. At the final data analysed 23 patients (33.8%) were found to have died from the tumour, while the rate of other intercurrent deaths amounted to 7 (10.3%). It could be concluded from this study that the age, sex, diseased organ, T stage, capsular perforation, V stage and G stage did not constitute risk factors having a bearing on treatment results and patient outcome. The N stage and time elapsing between surgery and radiotherapy showed an influence on the healing success and chances of survival that could be confirmed statistically. An analysis of untoward effects of treatment pointed to acute dermal reactions in 14 patients, while the delayed occurrence of skin changes failed to be observed. Four patients showed side-effects at the hematological level in the form of transient leukopenia or thrombopenia. Acute gastrointestinal responses were reported for nine patients and the same number of participants had gastrointestinal complaints of a chronic nature. (orig./MG)