The effects of ultrafractionated X-ray therapy in malignant lymphomas.

To improve the therapeutic methods in malignant lymphomas a new irradiation schedule is suggested i.e., ultrafractionated radiotherapy in small daily doses spaced out over a long period of time until the tumor dose of 3,500 R is reached. This treatment was used in 26 patients with malignant lymphomas--most of whom in stages III and IV--as well as in patients with recurrences that no longer responded to chemotherapy. Total remissions were obtained as well as an improvement of survival : 18 of the 16 patients are still in life and 8 of these have already been followed up for more than 5 years. The tumor dose per field did not exceed 2,000 R in the patients under concomitant chemotherapy. Ultrafractionated X-ray was very well tolerated by patients with altered general condition and even by those with recurrences or previous irradiation sequelae.