Short-course radiation therapy in the treatment of head and neck tumors.
A pilot study undertaken to evaluate short-course, high-increment radiation therapy. This type of treatment was tolerated well by the patients, with a surprisingly low level of acute reaction to the regimen and few late complications. Tumor regression seemed to be earlier than might be expected and involved more than 50% of the tumor in over 75% of the patients following the fourth course of treatment. Preliminary results show that long-range survival rates are at least equivalent to those obtained with the conventional longer treatment regimen. In general, this seems to be a more economical and efficient method of treatment which entails less patient discomfort than the conventional method.
D001835:Body Weight; D006258:Head and Neck Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology / Q000532:radiotherapy*; D006801:Humans; D010025:Osteoradionecrosis / Q000209:etiology; D010612:Pharyngitis / Q000209:etiology; D011832:Radiation Injuries / Q000209:etiology; D011879:Radiotherapy Dosage; D013997:Time Factors