Management of renal carcinoma with immuno radiotherapy

ABSTRACT

Sixty-two patients with metastatic renal cell carcinoma from January 1987 till December 1991 were collected. All patients, except six were subjected to radical nephrectomy. There were 53 cases with metastatic disease in lungs, liver, bone and brain. Patients received radiotherapy to the tumor bed, osseous and brain metastases. Concomitant with radiation, 38 patients received alpha-2 interferon [Interon A] for 12 weeks. A partial remission rate of 48%, was obtained with a median remission duration of 24 months. An overall survival of 78% at 3 years was achieved in patients who received the concomitant therapy. Survival rate was 38% in patients subjected to surgery and radiation. At 5 years the overall survival was 40% and 10% respectively. The results denote synergism between the 2 modalities immunotherapy and radiotherapy and heralds for further studies using higher doses of interferon for a longer time in metastatic renal cell carcinoma patients