[en] Abstract only

[en] Abstract only

[en] Ninety-two consecutive patients with stages IB and IIA carcinoma of the cervix were treated by one of two regimens: pre-operative intracavitary caesium-137 followed by a Wertheim hysterectomy (group 1) or staging laparotomy with biopsy of suspicious lymph nodes (group 2) (if there was no evidence of tumour on examination of a frozen section of the lymph nodes a Wertheim hysterectomy was performed, but if a tumour was present the abdomen was closed and a course of radical irradiation given). When there was evidence of extracervical spread on examination of the specimen after the Wertheim hysterectomy, postoperative irradiation was given. It was found that clinical staging had been incorrect in 38,5% of patients thought to have stage IB disease and in 71,4% of those thought to have stage IIA disease. The actuarial survival curves showed no significant statistical difference between group 1 and group 2. When examination of the operative specimen showed tumour invasion of the parametrium only, the disease was well controlled by postoperative irradiation (all 7 such patients survived). On the other hand, when there was evidence of tumour invasion of pelvic lymph nodes the 4-year survival rate fell to 31% (4 out of 13 patients), despite the use of postoperative irradiation

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[en] Abstract only

No abstract available

[en] Prolonged kidney and liver allograft survival was produced in baboons by low cumulative doses (500 to 1200 rad) of total lymphoid irradiation (TLI). Continuing normal graft function for more than 1 year after transplantation was seen in 10 animals in this series. The longest survivor (> 4 years) rejected a third party kidney allograft in typically acute fashion 1 yr after the original transplantation. The dose-response effect was parabolic, with a cumulative dose of 800 rad given as twice weekly fractions of 100 rad each being the most effective. With smaller cumulative doses (500 or 600 rad) results were improved if TLI was administered as a large number of smaller fractions. These regimens are free of the radiation related mortality observed in earlier studies with larger cumulative doses. Alterations in T cell subpopulations were studied in these baboons with the use of the anti-human monoclonal antibodies OKT11 (anti-total T cells), OKT4 (anti-T helper cells; Th), and OKT8 (anti-T suppressor/cytotoxic cells, Tsc), which cross-react with baboon lymphocytes. After completion of TLI but before transplantation, the relative percentage of Tsc cells fell and the percentage of Th and the Th/Tsc ratio rose. Transplantation was followed by an inversion of this ratio due to reciprocal changes in the percentages of Th and Tsc cells. This pattern persisted and increased until 6 mo after transplantation, when it reverted to that seen in untreated control animals

[en] A conservative approach to the management of breast cancer is gaining acceptance. The evidence from many retrospective and prospective studies indicates that breast-preserving surgery and radiation therapy give results equal to those of mastectomy. Relapse affecting the breast alone has been shown not to be detrimental to survival, while the psychological benefits to the patients have been gratifying. A prospective study of early breast cancer treated by conservative surgery and radiation was commenced at the Johannesburg Hospital in 1980. The results in 57 patients are reported. So far there have been 2 cases of local recurrence. In the majority of cases satisfactory cosmetic results were achieved. It is considered that lumpectomy with axillary dissection to establish nodal status followed by irradiation is the treatment of choice for stage l and ll carcinoma of the breast

[en] Fractionated total lymphoid irradiation (TLI) and allogeneic bone marrow (BM) injection have been reported to produce stable chimerism without graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) in inbred mice and rats and mongrel dogs, and transplantation tolerance for skin and heart grafts in rodents. This concept has been studied in outbred chacma baboons receiving orthotopic liver allografts with the use of five different irradiation protocols. Eight fractions of 200 rad to the whole torso, followed immediately by allogeneic BM injections, and liver grafts from the BM donors 3 to 4 weeks later resulted in markedly prolonged survivals of 63 to 106 days in four baboons (median survival of untreated controls 19 days). Only one of the four animals died directly from the effects of rejection. BM chimerism was demonstrated in two baboons. There were no clinical or histological signs of GVHD in any of the animals. Two fractions of TLI, totaling 800 rad, 23 hr apart and followed immediately by BM injection and liver grafting resulted in profound thrombocytopenia and death form intraperitoneal hemorrhage in four of five baboons. In one animal BM injection and liver transplantation were delayed for 75 days. The baboon is still alive more than 6 months later. Three groups received single doses of 300, 400, and 500 rad to the whole torso, followed by allogeneic BM injections 1 and 2 weeks later, and liver transplants from their BM donors after an additional 3 to 4 weeks. The four baboons receiving 300 rad survived for 42, 86, 123, and >180 days. Two of the four baboons receiving 400 rad died of septic intraabdominal complications with minimal or no evidence of rejection. Fourh of the five baboons receiving 500 rad died from rejection

[en] A study of the mantle technique for Hodgkins disease patients was embarked upon using thermoluminescent dosimetry (TLD) and a RANDO phantom. There was concern that the technique using Co-60 and turning the patient over for the posterior field may not be optimal as it was felt that the axillary areas of these patients were being under-dosed. A variety of treatment set-ups were performed on a 60-Cobalt unit at extended SSD. The phantom was planned for treatment lying supine for the anterior field and prone for the posterior field. Measurements were made in the neck, hilum and axillae using various combinations of compensators and lead filters. The combination of full field compensators and a lead filter gave the best results in the phantom but did not give satisfactory axillary readings in the patient situation. This was attributed to the difference in shape and AP separation of the patient when lying prone. RANDO, being solid, retains its shape. Treatment was then planned for a 6 MV linear accelerator using a vertical couch extender which enables the patient to remain supine throughout the treatment by increasing the table height to allow the posterior portal to be treated through the couch. Full field compensation was found to give an adequate dose to all the measured areas. This technique has since been performed on 28 patients being treated for Hodgkins disease at the Hillbrow Hospital, and the average axillary dose recorded in these patients is 88.6% of the prescribed dose. 11 refs.; 2 figs.; 3 tabs