[Contact neutron therapy of tumors with 252Cf irradiation]

Clinical experience gained from a combined study of 252Cf brachytherapy by the staff-members of the Research Institute of Medical Radiology, USSR AMS, was generalized. To provide neutron beam therapy they employed contact apparatuses and flexible assemblies of 252Cf sources and the ANET-B neutron therapeutic unit. The immediate, short- and long-term results of therapy of 571 patients with malignant tumors of different sites, spread and histogenesis were assessed. Contact neutron beam therapy was shown to be a new effective method for local therapy of various neoplasms. Further progress in 252Cf brachytherapy necessitates a search for optimum schemes of 252Cf radiation in combination with gamma-beam therapy, radiomodifying agents, antineoplastic drugs and surgical interventions in order to influence primary, regional and distant tumor growth foci.