Inoperable non-small cell lung cancer: palliative radiotherapy with two weekly fractions.

Thirty seven cases (30 males; 7 females) of advanced non-small cell lung cancer were treated with short course of palliative radiotherapy. All the patients were inoperable. Their main symptoms were related to primary intrathoracic disease and poor performance status. Radiotherapy was delivered to a total dose of 17 Gy in two fractions one week apart. Ninety percent of the patients had cough, 50% complained of haemoptysis, 45% chest pain and 30% breathlessness. Palliation of main symptoms was achieved in majority of the patients, more than 90% in haemoptysis, 60% in cough, 70% in chest pain and 50% in breathlessness. Mean duration of palliation was four months and performance status improved in 60% of the patients. Short course radiotherapy of 17 Gy in two weekly fractions is recommended in patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) having poor performance status.

Post orchiectomy management in stage II testicular seminoma.

Twenty eight patients with stage II A and twenty patients with stage II B testicular seminoma were treated at this institute between January 1982 and December 1988. The three year crude survival observed in this retrospective analysis was 82% and 75% respectively. Post orchiectomy infradiaphragmatic radiotherapy was the mainstay of the treatment. In stage II A 4 patients were administered adjuvant chemotherapy as well. Prophylactic Mediastinal Irradiation (PMI) was not employed as a routine in this subgroup. Eight patients (28%) relapsed (Mediastinal Nodes--4, Pulmonary--3, Scrotal--1). In stage II B twelve patients were treated with primary abdominal radiotherapy and of them 4 were delivered PMI as well. Induction chemotherapy was administered in remaining 8 patients. Seven patients (35%) relapsed (Pulmonary-4, Mediastinal Nodes-3). Mediastinal recurrence was noted only in those who were treated with abdominal radiotherapy alone. Though salvage chemotherapy proved successful in 5 of the seven patients (70%) with nodal relapse, none of the patients with extranodal relapse responded to subsequent chemotherapy. For stage II A we recommend abdominal radiotherapy alone and for stage II B Induction chemotherapy is advised keeping radiotherapy reserved for residual mass. We do not advocate PMI as a routine in stage II testicular seminoma as no survival benefit is observed.

Carcinoma of the oesophagus: correlation of radiological appearance with response to radiotherapy.

In order to predict possibility of local control in carcinoma of the oesophagus by radiotherapy, the relationship between the x-ray findings before and after radiotherapy were analyzed in 55 irradiated cases. In the superficial or proliferative type on x-ray before treatment, local control was observed in 87% cases with dose of 40 Gy, whereas in the ulcerative or infiltrative type it was observed in 20% cases. Radiation response is remarkably good in proliferative and superficial lesions seen in oesophagogram.

Leiomyosarcoma of the ovary.

A diagnosis of leiomyosarcoma of ovary was made in a 60 year old female presenting with generalised weakness and abdominal lump. On clinical examination, a hard, big mass with some cystic areas was found occupying the pelvic cavity. Chest X-ray revealed presence of metastases. Deranged renal function and structure due to extrinsic pressure were evident on pyelography and USG. USG also suggested the ovarian origin of the mass. Fine needle aspiration biopsy was suggestive of leiomyosarcoma. Laparotomy was carried out for excision of tumor along with bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy and hysterectomy. Post-operatively renal functions normalized. A course of radiotherapy was given. At 6 months' follow-up, abdomino-pelvic sonography was normal but lung metastases were found to be enlarged. The patient was asked to follow up for chemotherapy but did not come. She died 18 months after treatment, as revealed through correspondence.