High-dose rate interstitial brachytherapy for stage I-II tongue cancer

Objective, This retrospective clinical study evaluated the usefulness of hi gh-dose rate (HDR) brachytherapy for stage I-II tongue cancer in comparison with traditional low-dose rare (LDR) brachytherapy. Materials and methods, Twenty-five patients with stage I-II tongue cancer u nderwent HDR between 1995 and 1999. The status of local control and late ne ck metastasis, survival rate, and frequency of osteonecrosis in these patie nts were examined in comparison with a historical control made up of 71 pat ients who underwent LDR between 1980 and 1995. Results, The local control rate and survival rate were lower in the HDR gro up than in the LDR group. There were no apparent differences in the frequen cy of late neck metastasis between the two groups. Osteonecrosis occurred e arlier and more frequently in the HDR group. Conclusion, We would caution the use of HDR brachytherapy until further stu dies are done in many institutions.