Early tolerance of different organs to fast fractionation in clinical practice.

Abstract

To assess the feasibility of accelerated hyperfractionated radiotherapy in the treatment of breast, abdominal cavity, and pelvic tumors. Between August 1989 and March 1993, 39 patients were treated in Portsmouth by an accelerated, hyperfractionated regimen giving 45 to 54 Gy three times a day over 12 days. Twenty patients had abdominal cavity or pelvic tumors and 19 patients breast carcinoma, 9 of whom were treated prophylactically after local excision. No local recurrence has been observed in the 19 patients with breast carcinoma, and out of the 20 with abdominal or pelvic tumors, 6 showed complete regression and so far no severe late damage has been observed. In those patients who had pelvic or abdominal tumors treated, the acute toxicity varied widely from minimal to very intensive. No surgical intervention was necessary and most reactions settled within a 6-week period. Accelerated fractionation by small increments is well tolerated by the breast, pelvic, and abdominal organs.