[Radiotherapy of metastases of malignant neoplasms into the lungs]

The results of radiation therapy in 800 patients with lung metastases of different malignant neoplasms are reported. Metastases were multiple--in 53 cases, single--in 7, solitory--in 14. In 6 patients metastatic nodes were noted in the pleura. Total irradiation was employed (of one lung in 36 patients, of both lungs--in 44). In 15 patients an additional local irradiation of separate metastatic foci was performed. As a result of the treatment an immediate objective effect was gained in 44 of 80 patients (55%), metastases completely disappeared in 12 cases (15%). The period of remission ranged from 1 month to 2.5 years, making 8 months on the average. The data obtained indicate the rationality to further improve the technic concerned and to study simultaneously the opportunities of using radiotherapy, supplemented with the use of different antitumor drugs, taking into account the sensitivity of some or other malignant tumor to them.