[en] The Moving Strip Technique for irradiation of the abdomen perfected by Fletcher and Delclos represents considerable progress in terms of radiotherapy for carcinomas of the ovary by virtue of its simplicity, good tolerance, the homogeneous dose delivered to the entire abdominal cavity and the absence of sequelae. It is possible to deliver a dose of the order of 2,500 rads in 10 days to each abdominal segment, this being equivalent to 3,500 rads in 3,5 weeks. This moderate dose is aimed only at dealing with micromodular invasion and the superimposition of added local doses is required for residual tumour, marked using clips. From a histological standpoint, the worst group seems to be adenocarcinomas. Systematic sequential surgery for excision or reduction, chemotherapy to dry out ascites, moving strip irradiation with superimposed doses locally and long term chemotherapy should make it possible to improve the prognostic results of this tumour, for which the outlook remains poor

[en] Published in summary form only

No abstract available

[en] Sub-diaphragmatic irradiation in an upside down Y pattern for Hodgkin's disease results in sterility in the woman. Protection consists of irradiating the lumbar chain only when possible or by displacement of the ovary before irradiation, and laterally for preference. Although subsequent pregnancy is then possible, the genetic risk remains. In the male, Y irradiation results in prolonged virtually complete azoospermia. Associated chemotherapy also causes definitive sterility in the male. Collection for a sperm bank before treatment is advised

[en] Incidence of post-radiotherapy pericarditis has been studied in 579 patients treated by mantle fields with Cobalt gamma rays for Hodgkin's Disease. The pericarditis was the most serious and frequent complication found after these irradiations. The most important factor is the dose received at the anterior pericardial surface: the incidence of pericarditis is zero for a dose of less than 4,500 rads at this level, 9.2% at 4,500 rads and nearly 20% at 5,000 rads. The factors which increase the dose at the anterior pericardium are the nominal dose in the mediastinum (zero incidence of pericarditis at less than 4,000 rads, 3% at 4,000 rads and nearly 20% at 4,500 rads and above) and the distribution of dose between the anterior and posterior incident beams (it is important not to give more than 60% by the anterior field). Thickness (separation) of the patient and width of the field are of relatively less importance. On the other hand the patient's age and overall time (pericarditis appears above a dose corresponding to 1,355 rets in the mediastinum) are more important. A new protocol, which associates initial intensive chemotherapy, allowing irradiation to be given to a mediastinum cleared of tumour, and therefore avoiding doses above 4,000 rads, and even more important modification of the dose distribution so that not more than 60% of the dose is given by the anterior field, have reduced the incidence of pericarditis to zero. A rigorous dosimetric study is necessary in every case, and it is desirable to use a radiation beam of energy greater than that provided by cobalt 60, if the thickness of the subject makes this necessary

[en] Experiments with pigs have been performed in order to establish bone marrow chimerism and kidney graft tolerance between SLA genotyped semi-incompatible animals. Recipients were conditioned by means of conventional fractionated total lymphoid irradiation (TLI) delivered by a vertical cobalt source. The principal lymphoid regions of the pig, including thymus and spleen, were submitted to irradiation. Two protocols were tested: A = 250 cGy four times a week x 13 times (TLI) (two animals) and B = 350 cGy three times a week x 8 times (TLI) (four animals). Bone marrow cells were injected 24 h after the last irradiation. One day later, bilateral nephrectomy and the graft of one kidney from the bone marrow cell donor were performed simultaneously. Results convinced us that application of the TLI protocol to humans is not yet practicable and that further experimental work is needed

[en] Published in summary form only