The effects of conventionally fractionated, extended portal radiotherapy on the human peripheral blood count.
Conventionally fractionated, extended portal radiotherapy (CFEPRT) has been used to treat two diseases in which there was no marrow infiltration (viz. Hodgkin's disease and medulloblastoma). Blood count indices have been monitored during therapy and in the recovery phase. The lymphocytes were the most sensitive and the monocytes the most refractory leucocytes to change; the monocyte count tended to recover during CFEPRT. The platelet count fell gradually and soon after the neutrophil count. The nadir counts for white cells and platelets occurred early or toward the middle of CFEPRT, after which levels were maintained. The hemoglobin slightly and progressively declined. The patterns of change were similar for the two portals analyzed. Absolute eosinophilia occurred in 9 of the 53 CFEPRT patients, often in the recovery period. All patients who maintained their early nadir levels throughout the rest of the CFEPRT demonstrated fast recovery of all indices following completion of radiotherapy; the lymphocyte count recovered fastest. Recent prior CFEPRT or standard MVPP (nitrogen mustard, vinblastine, procarbazine, prednisolone) chemotherapy rendered the blood count more liable to radiation induced cytopenia. A lapse of more than 3 months between MVPP and CFEPRT allowed greater tolerance to the radiotherapy. Recent MVPP may be less myelosuppressive than recent mantle radiotherapy with respect to subsequent tolerance to CFEPRT.
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001772:Blood Cell Count; D002528:Cerebellar Neoplasms / Q000532:radiotherapy*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D006689:Hodgkin Disease / Q000532:radiotherapy*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008527:Medulloblastoma / Q000532:radiotherapy*; D008875:Middle Aged; D011879:Radiotherapy Dosage; D011882:Radiotherapy, High-Energy