[Analysis of the effectiveness of repeated radiation treatment of lung cancer].

In spite of a direct effect obtained in radiotherapy of lung cancer, tumor growth often resumes afterwards, metastases appear, all these causing death of most patients within the first 1-2 yrs. It is worth nothing that a considerable number of patients die from tumor recurrences in the absence of generalization. Therefore a question arises as to the therapeutic tactics for such patients, including the potentialities and appropriateness of repeated irradiation. The efficacy of repeated radiation therapy of 100 patients with lung cancer was analysed. Direct improvement was noted in 44% of x-ray findings and in 77% of clinical findings. The patients' mean survival rates were 29.7-2.6 mos. after the 1st course of treatment and 17.2 +/- 2.5 mos. after repeated irradiation. Short- and longterm results showed correlation, i.e. in x-ray improvement the mean survival after the 2nd course was 23.5 +/- 4 mos. whereas in its absence it was 13.5 +/- 4 mos. It was established that the longer the interval between the therapeutic courses the more probable an increase in a survival period after repeated radiation exposure. After 2 radiotherapy courses all the patients developed radiation pneumosclerosis of varying degree pathological rib fractures were marked in 4 patients and tumor regression in 5 patients. A conclusion has been made that repeated radiation therapy of lung cancer patients is of palliative nature.