Carcinoma of the colon: irradiation by delayed split whole-abdominal technique.
Locally advanced and recurrent colon cancer was treated by irradiating first the pelvis and two hours later the upper abdomen. Curative treatment consisted of 4,000-5,000 rad (40-50 Gy) in 200-rad (2-Gy) fractions to the pelvis and 3,000 rad (30 Gy) in 150-rad (1.5-Gy) fractions to the upper abdomen. Palliative treatment consisted of 2,100 rad (21 Gy) in 300-rad (3-Gy) fractions to the liver, 3,000 rad (30 Gy) in 150-rad (1.5-Gy) fractions to the upper abdomen, and 4,000-5,000 rad (40-50 Gy) in 200-rad (2-Gy) fractions to the pelvis. Treatment was tolerated well, and acute toxicity was limited. Seven of the 11 patients treated curatively remain free of abdominal disease after 10-35 months; median survival among 9 patients treated palliatively was 9 months.
D000005:Abdomen; D003110:Colonic Neoplasms / Q000532:radiotherapy* / Q000601:surgery; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D009364:Neoplasm Recurrence, Local; D010166:Palliative Care; D010388:Pelvis; D011379:Prognosis; D011878:Radiotherapy / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods*; D011879:Radiotherapy Dosage; D013921:Thrombocytopenia / Q000209:etiology