Tissue reaction & tumor response with negative pi mesons.

As a prelude to a randomized trial of negative pi meson (pion) radiotherapy, as compared to conventional radiation treatment, tolerance of several normal tissues was investigated. Fifty-three of 108 patients received at least 2700 peak pion rads at a usual dose rate between 100 and 125 rads daily. The major sites treated were head and neck, pancreas, prostate, rectum and brain. Acute normal tissue reactions, late effects, and tumor response are correlated with the two dose levels. Pancreatic tumors have not fared well. At this point, tumors that can be observed disappear more rapidly, and, for tumors that cannot be observed, symptoms disappear more rapidly and normal tissues exhibit less reaction than with conventional radiotherapy. It is believed that the dose level can be raised an additional 7 percent above the current 4100 rads, measured at the maximum within the treatment volume.