Roentgen Treatment for Hodgkin's Disease and Lymphosarcoma of the Chest

¹ Section on Therapeutic Radiology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota

Each variety of normal cell has a specific range of sensitiveness to roentgen rays. The different varieties of normal cells are listed in the order of their sensitiveness. The action of roentgen rays on

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cells is briefly described, lymphocytes being used as an example. Then the sensitiveness of different kinds of tumors is mentioned, and stress is laid on the close correspondence in sensitiveness between tumors and the normal cells from which different kinds of tumors are derived. Knowledge of the relative sensitiveness of different tumors often permits one to distinguish some tumors from others, and this is as true of thoracic and intrathoracic tumors as it is of tumors in general.

The more common clinical and roentgenologic features of Hodgkin's disease or lymphosarcoma of the chest are reviewed. Then the treatment of these conditions is discussed with reference to the anatomic arrangement of the fields, the quality and quantity of the rays. Finally, the principal factors which govern prognosis are mentioned.