Computerized (axial) tomography in the serial study of cerebral tumors treated by radiation. A preliminary report.

The difficulty in evaluating the effectiveness of radiation therapy of primary cerebral tumors is well appreciated. Changes in the tumor size and the presence or absence of edema or necrosis during or following treatment cannot be readily evaluated by present noninterventive roentgenographic methods. At New York University Medical Center, computerized (axial) tomography (CT) has been routinely used both before and after radiation therapy with the aim of assessing, by noninterventive means, tumor response, presence or absence of edema, or necrosis. A selected series of patients is presented with correlation of the clinical findings and CT-scan results both before and after therapy. The significance of these findings and their implications in the management of cerebral tumors are discussed.