Hodgkin's disease irradiated with the inverted-Y technique

Thirty-four patients with Hodgkin's disease were treated with the inverted-Y technique. Target absorbed dose was 40 Gy given in a split-course schedule to all but one patient. Only one recurrence occurred. Seventeen patients remained symptom-free after treatment and another 9 were rescued by further therapy. Eight patients died. All 7 patients in stages I and II are alive. In stage III A more patients with upper abdominal disease remained symptom-free after treatment than patients with lower abdominal disease. Of 7 patients in stage III B, 5 died. Actuarial survival at 10 years was significantly better for patients without systemic symptoms. Radiation side effects were mild. One serious complication occurred, acute gastrointestinal ulceration in the patient given the total dose in one series. No permanent symptom-producing side effects from liver, kidneys, spinal cord or bone marrow occurred.