title: Iridium 192 implantation of squamous cell carcinomas of the oropharynx.
abstract: From 1970 to 1984, 127 patients with T1 or T2 carcinomas of the oropharynx were treated with external irradiation to the primary tumor and neck nodes to a dose of 45 Gy, followed by a further 30 Gy delivered by an iridium 192 implant to the primary tumor. Patients with clinically positive nodes had either further neck irradiation using electrons or a neck dissection. Crude 5-year disease-free survival was 66% for tonsillar carcinomas, 43% for soft palate, and 51% for base of tongue. Local control was 98%, 85%, and 76%, respectively. Regional control was 97% for N0 patients and 88% for N1-3. Soft tissue ulceration occurred in 17 patients; all healed spontaneously. The high rate of local control achieved in these patients while preserving function and minimizing xerostomia supports the use of this approach.
authors.affiliation: Département de Cancérologie, Hôpital Henri Mondor, Creteil, France.
authors.forename: J J
authors.initials: JJ
authors.lastname: Mazeron
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Crook
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Martin
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Peynegre
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Pierquin
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001918:Brachytherapy; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000532:radiotherapy*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007496:Iridium Radioisotopes / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010157:Palatal Neoplasms / Q000532:radiotherapy*; D010160:Palate, Soft; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D014062:Tongue Neoplasms / Q000532:radiotherapy*; D014067:Tonsillar Neoplasms / Q000532:radiotherapy*
chemical_list: D007496:Iridium Radioisotopes