INTRACAVITARY CONTACT X-RAY THERAPY OF ORAL HIV-ASSOCIATED KAPOSIS-SARCOMA

A retrospective study was performed to assess the efficacy and low muc osal toxicity of intracavitary contact X-ray therapy (ICRT), a propose d treatment of small/medium sized lesions of oral HIV-associated Kapos i's sarcoma (HIV-KS). Twenty-six patients with histologically confirme d oral HIV-KS underwent ICRT in the period 1986-1995. No patient recei ved antiblastic or interferon therapy during the radiotherapy or follo w-up periods. ICRT was performed according to the usual technical moda lities of contact X-ray therapy, but the end of the source of ionizing radiations was introduced into the oral cavity. The total doses admin istered ranged from 10 to 50 Gy per field, in one or two weekly fracti ons of 5 Gy each. The follow-up ranged from 1 to 44 months (mean 7.5 m onths). Complete remission was obtained in 20 cases (76.92%), partial remission in 6 (23.08%) and relapse in one case (3.84%). Pain was reli eved in all cases. Mucosal reaction was mild and did not result in any interruption of treatment. Our data suggest that ICRT is an effective and well tolerated treatment. It can be used in the management of ora l HIV-KS instead of external radiotherapy, provided that the size and the location of the lesions and the conformation of the palate are sui table to this technique.