An original technique of brachytherapy for T1 T2 carcinomas of the mobile tongue

Int J Radiat Oncol Biol Phys. 1993 Feb 15;25(3):513-6. doi: 10.1016/0360-3016(93)90074-6.

Abstract

Twenty-four patients with T1 or T2 (17 T1 N0, 7 T2 N0 not exceeding 3 cm) epidermoid carcinomas from the middle third of the mobile tongue benefit from brachytherapy with "cavaliers-legos" consisting of guide-gutters that are inserted in a rigid support (legos) and covered with a lead plate. Several advantages can be advocated with this technique: easy implantation even with local anaesthetic, no risk of bleeding, good parallelism between Iridium wires, protection of the mandible with the lead plate. Local control was achieved in 22/24 patients (92%). Four patients (16%) developed soft tissue necrosis but only one required surgical intervention and no mandibular necrosis was seen.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Brachytherapy / instrumentation
  • Brachytherapy / methods*
  • Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / epidemiology
  • Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / radiotherapy*
  • Female
  • Follow-Up Studies
  • France / epidemiology
  • Humans
  • Iridium Radioisotopes / therapeutic use
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Neoplasm Recurrence, Local / epidemiology
  • Retrospective Studies
  • Tongue Neoplasms / epidemiology
  • Tongue Neoplasms / radiotherapy*

Substances

  • Iridium Radioisotopes