Treatment of inoperable carcinoma of the bronchus by megavoltage X rays.

The techniques of treatment of carcinoma of the bronchus using 8 million volt x rays are described. In a group of inoperable cases of carcinoma of the bronchus a three-year survival rate of 10% was obtained with squamous lesions, and in anaplastic and oat-cell lesions the three-year survival rate was 4%. The factors affecting the prognosis are described and also the palliation achieved. The immediate reactions and the late complications of treatment are described and are no more severe than with orthovoltage x-ray therapy.