Neutron therapy program at the national accelerator centre, South Africa:Preliminary results

摘要

AbstractNeutron therapy with a p(66)/Be isocentric beam started at the National Accelerator Centre (NAC) in September 1988 and proton therapy with a 200 MeV horizontal beam started in September 1993. A total of 608 patients have been treated in the neutron therapy program and the preliminary results show: 1) no statistical differences in survival and disease‐free probability between60Co, neutron therapy, and accelerated neutron therapy for head and neck cance; 2) 1‐ and 2‐year complete response rates of 63 and 51 and survival probabilities of 90 and 73, respectively, for advanced salivary gland tumours; 3) complete response rates of 67 for macroscopic residual soft tissue sarcomas, 60 for irresectable tumours of less than 10 cm in diameter, and 0 for tumours of more than 10 cm in diamete; 4) local control rates of 64 and 76 for advanced breast carcinomas treated with 17 and 19 Gy, respectively; 5) complete response rate of 50 for macroscopic residual uterine sarcomas; and 6) complete response rates of 45 for advanced maxillary antral carcinomas, 33 for irresectable osteosarcomas, and 38 for chondrosarcomas. With the constant patient accrual and reliable operation of the therapy facilities the NAC could play a major role in defining the future of high‐energy neutrons in radiation treatment. © 1995 Wiley