[Combined therapy for lung cancer (author's transl)]

During 1963 to 1975, 188 patients were operated following pre-operative irradiation on a betatron with 25 MEV energy. The irradiation was conducted for 2 to 3 weeks from 2 or 3 fields daily. The total focal dose ranged 2500 to 4500 rad. Radical interventions were performed in 159 patients (pneumonectomy in 80, bilobectomy in 13, lobectomy in 60, lobectomy with main bronchus resection in 6). Th lethality rate comprised, 6,7%. Over 3-years survival was achieved in 69.1%, over 5-years survival in 57.3%. Preoperative irradiation on a 25 MEV betatron favours an improvement of the patient's state and produces a favourable effect on the clinical and radiological manifestations of lung cancer. A comparative study of the morphology in the diagnostic biopsy material and in the lung specimens removed following irradiation demonstrated a varying degree of pathomorphism of cancer, down to a complete disappearance of the tumour and radial sclerosis development.