title: Retrospective analysis of local control and cosmetic outcome of 147 periorificial carcinomas of the face treated with low-dose rate interstitial brachytherapy.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Skin cancer is the most common malignancy in white populations. We evaluated the local cure rate and cosmetic outcome of patients with basal cell carcinoma (BCC) or squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) of the face treated with low-dose rate brachytherapy.
  
  
  METHODS
  Between February 1990 and May 2000, 147 facial carcinomas in 132 patients were treated by (192)Ir wire implantation. Side effects of brachytherapy were noted. Follow-up was 2 years or more. Locoregional recurrence-free survival (LRFS) and overall survival were recorded. Group A included patients treated by primary brachytherapy, and Group B included those treated after recurrence.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A total of 121 carcinomas were BCCs (82.3%) and 26 were SCCs (17.7%); the median tumor size was 10 mm. Of the tumors, 86 (58.5%) were in men and 61 (41.5%) were in women; the median age was 71 years. Group A comprised 116 lesions (78.9%), and Group B, 31 (21.1%). There were 17 relapses (11.6%) after a median follow-up of 72 months: 12 local, 4 nodal, and 1 local and nodal. Locoregional-free survival was 96.6% at 2 years and 87.3% at 5 years. Five-year LRFS was 82.6% in men and 93.3% in women (p = 0.027). After adjustment for gender, LRFS was better after primary treatment than after recurrence (hasard ratio HR, 2.91; 95% confidence interval, 1.06-8.03; p = 0.039). Five-year LRFS was 90.4% for BCC and 70.8% for SCC (p = 0.03). There were no Grade 3 complications.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Low-dose rate brachytherapy offers good local control and cosmetic outcome in patients with periorificial skin carcinomas, with no Grade 3 complications. Brchytherapy is more efficient when used as primary treatment.
authors: Department of Radiation Oncology, Institut Claudius Regaud, Toulouse, France. anned40@hotmail.com
authors: Anne
authors: A
authors: Ducassou
authors: Isabelle
authors: I
authors: David
authors: Thomas
authors: T
authors: Filleron
authors: Michel
authors: M
authors: Rives
authors: Jacques
authors: J
authors: Bonnet
authors: Martine
authors: M
authors: Delannes
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001918:Brachytherapy / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods*; D002280:Basal Cell Carcinoma / Q000473:pathology / Q000532:radiotherapy*; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000473:pathology / Q000532:radiotherapy*; D018572:Disease-Free Survival; D005153:Facial Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology / Q000532:radiotherapy*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D005602:France; D006801:Humans; D007496:Iridium Radioisotopes / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009364:Neoplasm Recurrence, Local / Q000473:pathology / Q000532:radiotherapy*; D011879:Radiotherapy Dosage; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012737:Sex Factors; D012878:Skin Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology / Q000532:radiotherapy*; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D047368:Tumor Burden
chemical_list: D007496:Iridium Radioisotopes