Experience in the use of subtotal irradiation at different stages of therapy of Hodgkin's disease

A study was made of a possibility to use subtotal irradiation (STI) as an equivalent of chemotherapy for the treatment of 33 Hodgkin's disease patients. ROKUS apparatus and a linear accelerator of 15 MeV were used for irradiation at a single dose of 1.5 Gy and a total dose of 3-6 Gy, at a 2 -4 day interval. STI efficacy was assessed by a response of the peripheral and intrathoracic lymph nodes, tumor foci in the lungs, by a decrease in liver and spleen sizes, a descrease in body temperature and the end of night sweating. A marked positive effect was noted in previously untreated patients especially with respect to the elimination of signs of intoxication. A conclusion has been made that STI can be employed for the treatment of Hodgkin's disease patients as a method of general cytostatic action. STI causes a more noticeable and prolonged leukopenia than a cycle of polychemotherapy