HIGH-DOSE PHOTOIRRADIATION THERAPY OF HUMAN-TUMORS USING THE GOLD METAL VAPOR LASER

Abstract

Abstract The gold metal vapor laser (GMVL; Quentron, Adelaide, South Australia) produces up to 6.0 W of power and this has allowed the study of high dose and high dose rate photoirradiation therapy. We have undertaken 35 treatments in 31 patients with tumors in the rectum (4), esophagus (8), brain (17) and malignant ascites (2). All patients were carefully monitored for complications and, where possible, assessed for response. Dose rates of 1.2‐2.2 W were used and doses were estimated to be between 72 and 245 J cm−2. The major complications noted were in the patients with esophageal cancer and included fever 1‐10 days following therapy in 5/8. There was one early death at 10 days and 3/8 pat..