OUTPATIENT TOTAL-BODY IRRADIATION PRIOR TO BONE-MARROW TRANSPLANTATION IN PEDIATRIC-PATIENTS - A FEASIBILITY ANALYSIS

Outpatient total body irradiation (TBI) prior to bone marrow transplan tation has been accomplished in a total of 68 pediatric patients, The TBI regimen was fractionated with a total dose of 12 Gy in eight fract ions twice daily. Antiemetic therapy consisted of oral ondansetron thr ee times daily throughout the TBI course, Eight patients experienced m ild nausea without vomiting, and four patients experienced mild nausea and vomiting, One patient required intravenous hydration after severe nausea and vomiting. Another patient experienced intractable diarrhea and dehydration which required inpatient management. Outpatient TBI p rior to bone marrow transplantation is feasible in pediatric patients.