Total body irradiation in the management of malignant lymphoma

A pilot study for the evaluation of fractionated total body irradiation in the management of disseminated lymphomas is reported. Nine patients were treated in the period February - August, 1973. A telecobalt unit with treatment distance of 328 cm was used. Daily fractions of 15 rad total body dose measured in the midpelvic plane were given for the first 5 days. Thereafter a dose of 10--15 rad per session was given every other day or at longer intervals depending on the leukocyte and thrombocyte count. The total dose for a full course varied between 200 and 265 rad in 5--12 weeks. The results of the study demonstrate the value of total body irradiation in the treatment of patients with stage III lymphosarcoma, and potentially in the management of disseminated mycosis fungoidis.