Results of twice-a-day irradiation of squamous cell carcinomas of the head and neck.
The results of twice-a-day irradiation for moderately advanced and advanced squamous cell carcinomas of the head and neck in 57 patients, treated at the University of Florida between March 1978 and July 1981, are reviewed. Fifty patients received irradiation alone to the primary site with or without neck dissection; 7 patients received preoperative irradiation (5040-6000 rad) followed in 4-6 weeks by resection of the primary tumor and neck dissection(s). Two 120 rad treatments were administered daily, with a 4-6 hour interval between fractions. External beam tumor doses were usually 7440-7680 rad when irradiation alone was used for the primary lesion; 2 of 3 T2 and 11 of 13 (85%) T3 lesions that received greater than or equal to 7440 rad remain locally controlled at 2-5 years' follow-up. External beam doses of 7440 rad controlled only 1 of 10 T4 cancers; higher doses controlled 3 of 8 T4 lesions. One severe complication of irradiation and 2 severe complications of salvage surgery have occurred in the group that received irradiation alone to the primary lesion. Five of the 7 patients who received planned combined preoperative irradiation plus surgery to the primary tumor were alive and free of disease at 2 years. Absolute disease-free survival at 2 years for the entire patient group was 23/57 (40%).
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000532:radiotherapy*; D003037:Cobalt Radioisotopes / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005260:Female; D006258:Head and Neck Neoplasms / Q000532:radiotherapy*; D006801:Humans; D007822:Laryngeal Neoplasms / Q000532:radiotherapy; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009060:Mouth Floor; D009062:Mouth Neoplasms / Q000532:radiotherapy; D010610:Pharyngeal Neoplasms / Q000532:radiotherapy; D011878:Radiotherapy / Q000009:adverse effects; D011879:Radiotherapy Dosage; D014062:Tongue Neoplasms / Q000532:radiotherapy
D003037:Cobalt Radioisotopes