Abstract
Fast neutrons interact with matter in a different way from x and gamma rays. They have been used at Hammersmith Hospital for the past four years in the treatment of advanced tumours in several sites of the body, and the results of this treatment in the first 100 cases of tumours of the head and neck are described here. Altogether 62 patients who had been referred for fast neutron therapy because it was thought that no other treatment would be effective experienced complete regression of the tumours, and only two recurred. Tumours of the buccal cavity and salivary glands responded particularly well and the relief of pain and ulceration was striking. Side effects were not serious and did not differ from those seen with supervoltage radiation, apart from the reaction of the skin. Follow-up was short, however, owing to deaths from metastases, and out of 76 patients treated more than one year previously only 30 survived. Cases which have not metastasized must therefore be treated so that the effects on tumours and adjacent normal tissues can be observed for several years after treatment. The results obtained so far indicate that it is now justifiable to use neutrons in such cases.
Full text
PDF
Images in this article
Selected References
These references are in PubMed. This may not be the complete list of references from this article.
- Field S. B. Early and late reactions in skin of rats following irradiation with x-rays or fast neutrons. Radiology. 1969 Feb;92(2):381–384. doi: 10.1148/92.2.381. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
- Field S. B., Jones T., Thomlinson R. H. The relative effects of fast neutrons and x rays on tumour and normal tissue in the rat. II. Fractionation: recovery and reoxygenation. Br J Radiol. 1968 Aug;41(488):597–607. doi: 10.1259/0007-1285-41-488-597. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
- GRAY L. H., CONGER A. D., EBERT M., HORNSEY S., SCOTT O. C. The concentration of oxygen dissolved in tissues at the time of irradiation as a factor in radiotherapy. Br J Radiol. 1953 Dec;26(312):638–648. doi: 10.1259/0007-1285-26-312-638. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]