THE REIRRADIATION OF RECURRENT BRONCHOGENIC-CARCINOMA WITH EXTERNAL-BEAM IRRADIATION

Symptomatic local failure following thoracic irradiation for bronchoge nic carcinoma presents a clinical challenge to the Radiation Oncologis t. We retrospectively evaluated the efficiency of reirradiation with e xternal beam radiation of 30 patients. The median dose of initial irra diation was 6,000 cGy in 6 weeks. The median time following initial ir radiation to recurrence was 12 months. The median dose of retreatment was 3,030 cGy in 3 weeks. Of the symptomatic patients, 88% and 70% sub jectively responded to initial irradiation and to reirradiation, respe ctively. Retreatment toxicity included radiation esophagitis (6 patien ts), dry desquamation (4 patients), and symptomatic radiation pneumoni tis (1 patient). Based on this study, doses of external beam radiation in the range of 2,000-3,000 cGy in 2 to 3 weeks appear safe and effec tive in reirradiating recurrent bronchogenic carcinoma.