TREATMENT OF ORAL CANCERS USING IR-192 INTERSTITIAL IRRADIATION

Objective-To assess retrospectively the outcome and morbidity of Iridi um-192 brachytherapy in the treatment of oral cancers. Design-Retrospe ctive audit of cases treated between 1981 and 1991. Setting-Newcastle upon Tyne, England. Subjects-73 patients with oral cancer treated with Iridium-192. Main outcome measures-Local control, crude and cause spe cific survival, and local morbidity. Results-Seventy four cases of squ amous cell carcinoma of the oral cavity were treated using interstitia l Iridium-192. The disease specific 5-year survival rates were 69% for T1, 67% for T2, and 0% for T3 tumours. Mortality from recurrent cance r was 20%, and from intercurrent disease was 28%. The incidence of maj or radiation induced morbidity was 11%, and the local control rate was 81% for T1, 69% for T2, and 50% for T3 tumours. Conclusion-Interstiti al radiotherapy remains a viable and valuable mode of treatment for a small proportion of patients presenting with early (T1 and T2) oral ca ncers.