RESUMO
Objective To observe the radioprotective effect of low dose mitomycin C(MMC) on chest carcinoma. Methods 100 cases of chest carcinomas confirmed by histologic or cytologic diagnosis, including, esophageal carcinoma 54 cases, lung cancer 46 cases, were randomized into study group and control group, 50 cases in each group. The study group was treated with low dose MMC (0.002 mg/kg iv one time per week, about 5 ~ 7 times in the course) during routine radiotherapy, the control group was treated with routine radiotherapy only. Results All of 100 cases completed the treatment. Acute radiation- induced esophagitis of study group and control group was 30 % and 48 % respectively (?2=3.897,P =0.048). Acute radiation- induced pneumonia of study group and control group was 4 % and 16 % respectively (?2 =4.001,P =0.045). Hematologic toxicity of study group and control group was 50 % and 48 % respectively (?2=0.208, P =0.648). Response rate of study group (84 %) was obviously higher than that of control group (68 %) (?2 =4.089, P =0.043). Conclusions Low dose MMC combining with chest carcinoma's radiotherapy can obviously reduce acute radiation- induced esophagitis and pneumonia, without obvious hematologic toxicity, meanwhile increase radiation effect.