Present results of neutron therapy. The German experience.
Results of fast neutron therapy are reviewed with special reference to the main indications for this type of treatment and the experience of five German centers. Neutron therapy seems beneficial compared to conventional radiotherapy in advanced salivary gland tumors, inoperable or unresectable soft tissue sarcomas, some bone tumors, prostate cancer stage C and some rare low-grade tumors. About 3,000 patients with malignancies have been treated with neutrons at the German centers Berlin/Rossendorf, Essen, Hamburg, Heidelberg and Münster. Treatment results and treatment-related morbidity depend on the treatment techniques and the physical selectivity of the neutron machines. A critical appraisal suggests that fast neutrons are of advantage in about 5% of all radiotherapy patients.
Department of Radiation Oncology, University Hospital Hamburg-Eppendorf, Germany.
R
R
Schwarz
A
A
Krüll
D
D
Heyer
M
M
Baumann
R
R
Schmidt
K H
KH
Hübener
D002289:Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung / Q000532:radiotherapy; D005214:Fast Neutrons / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005858:Germany; D006801:Humans; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000532:radiotherapy; D008297:Male; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000532:radiotherapy*; D010255:Paranasal Sinus Neoplasms / Q000532:radiotherapy; D011471:Prostatic Neoplasms / Q000532:radiotherapy; D011879:Radiotherapy Dosage; D012004:Rectal Neoplasms / Q000532:radiotherapy; D012468:Salivary Gland Neoplasms / Q000532:radiotherapy; D012509:Sarcoma / Q000532:radiotherapy; D013120:Spinal Cord Neoplasms / Q000532:radiotherapy