[Radiation load of kidneys in telecobalt irradiation of aortic lymph nodes].

The kidneys of 117 patients were examined before and after (immediately until several weeks) a telecobalt irradiation of the aortal lymph nodes. In 36 out of them, another control examination could be performed after 1 1/2 years. In 17 patients, the early examinations showed functional troubles of the kidneys which regressed in nine cases. The late examinations showed in 19 cases functional restrictions which have to be considered to be irreversible. The conclusion must be drawn that it is necessary to examine the kidneys before and until several years after a radiotherapy of the aortal lymph nodes and that the dose distribution has to be optimized with respect to a conservation of the kidneys, as far as this is oncologically possible.