Abstract
An overview of the University of Washington neutron radiotherapy facility is presented. The utility of the multi-leaf, programmable, variable collimator is emphasized. Due to success in the treatment of salivary gland tumors, such patients comprise an ever increasing portion of the patients being treated. A cooperative randomized clinical trial for the treatment of salivary gland tumors was undertaken comparing fast neutrons against photon/electron radiation. At ten years, there was a statistically significant improvement in local/regional control for the neutron group (56% vs 25% p = 0.009), but there was no improvement in survival (15% vs 25% p = n.s.). Distant metastases were the primary reason for the failure of improved local/regional control to impact survival in the neutron group. The University of Washington experience is summarized with special emphasis on the treatment of adenoid cystic carcinomas. Excellent local/regional control can be achieved with neutrons even for large tumors arising in the paranasal sinuses. We conclude that the potential morbidity of a surgical debulking procedure is not warranted in most clinical situations.
Original language | English (US) |
---|---|
Pages (from-to) | 275-280 |
Number of pages | 6 |
Journal | Acta Oncologica |
Volume | 33 |
Issue number | 3 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - 1994 |
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Hematology
- Oncology
- Radiology Nuclear Medicine and imaging