[Xeroradiography in radiotherapy of tumors of the bone and soft parts: value in the beginning of therapy in long-term follow-up studies].

Xeroradiography was performed on 38 cases of bone or soft tissue tumors submitted to radiotherapy. The examination was done before, during and after the radiological treatment and at longer intervals after the completion of its course. The indications and the drawbacks of xeroradiography for the follow-up of irradiated cases and for the search of recurrences are discussed, taking also into account the other radiological techniques used in this field. Xeroradiography is held to be very useful in planning the treatment of malignant bone tumors with extraosseous spread, since it allows to establish the real limits of the tumor to be irradiated. Moreover, xeroradiography is helpful to recognize the radiotherapeutic sequelae on superficial soft tissues, as oedema, fibrosis and necrosis of the subcutaneous fat and skin.