[Effects of mantle-field irradiation and chemotherapy on respiratory function (author's transl)].

In 15 patients with mediastinal Hodgkin's disease treated with chemotherapy followed by mantle-field irradiation respiratory function tests performed before and after irradiation showed a decrease in vital capacity and FEV1 as compared with pretreatment values. The decrease was maximum at 4 months and regressed over one year. No significant changes were observed in blood gas measurements. Respiratory symptoms, which were frequent after irradiation, almost completely disappeared within one year. The therapeutic combination had no cumulative adverse effect on respiratory function.