[Irradiation of the brain in the combined treatment of small-cell lung cancer].

A study on the advantages offered by a "prophylactic" cranial irradiation in cases of localized small cell cancer of the lung has been conducted at the Center since April of 1981. The report deals with preliminary results on tolerance and immediate reactions of the brain obtained on the basis of 25 cases. A good tolerance of doses ranging 25-30 Gy was recorded. Acute reactions followed gamma therapy in 32% which, however, did not prevent the completion of the full course of prophylactic irradiation. Neurologic symptoms developed after cranial irradiation in 3 cases; this was interpreted as a possible post-radiation encephalopathy. Metastasis was found in one case. The results suggest that the study be continued.