The Response of Superior Sulcus Tumors to Radiation Therapy

In 15 cases of superior sulcus tumor treated by irradiation and followed for one year, a 9.7-month mean survival time was noted; for those survivals over six months, a 14.9-month mean was recorded. In 2, surgical removal of the primary followed irradiation; tumor necrosis resulted from therapy, with no evidence of clearly viable tumor cells remaining. Study of palliative dose response as a function of time indicated optimum dose-time relationship to be about 3,500 rads in a 2 ½- or 3-week period. Irradiation alone is the favored treatment; preoperative irradiation is reserved for early disease.