title: Hyperfractionated high-dose rate brachytherapy in the treatment of oral tongue cancer.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Low-dose rate brachytherapy is a well established treatment modality of oral cancer. Data about high-dose rate (HDR) brachytherapy are still sparse with various fractionation schedules and heterogeneous results.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The aim of our retrospective study was to evaluate the results of HDR brachytherapy with doses of 3 Gy twice daily.
  
  
  METHODS
  Twenty patients with squamous cell tongue cancer were treated in the years 2001-2009 by exclusive HDR BT 18 × 3 Gy twice daily. The plastic tube technique was used. Median follow up was 47 months (7.8-118) since brachytherapy.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The local and locoregional control was 85% and 68%, respectively. Bone necrosis developed in one case treated without mandibular shielding and soft tissue necrosis in 2 cases.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  It can be concluded that HDR brachytherapy with 18 × 3 Gy twice daily is safe with promising local control. The risk of nodal recurrences is substantial.
authors.affiliation: Department of Stomatology, University Hospital, Hradec Králové, Czech Republic.
authors.forename: Lubos
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Tuček
authors.affiliation: Department of Oncology and Radiotherapy, University Hospital, Sokolská 581, 500 05 Hradec Králové, Czech Republic.
authors.forename: Jiri
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Petera
authors.affiliation: Department of Oncology and Radiotherapy, University Hospital, Sokolská 581, 500 05 Hradec Králové, Czech Republic.
authors.forename: Igor
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Sirák
authors.affiliation: Department of Oncology and Radiotherapy, University Hospital, Sokolská 581, 500 05 Hradec Králové, Czech Republic.
authors.forename: Milan
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Vošmik
authors.affiliation: Department of Stomatology, University Hospital, Hradec Králové, Czech Republic.
authors.forename: Helena
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Doležalová
authors.affiliation: Department of Oncology and Radiotherapy, University Hospital, Sokolská 581, 500 05 Hradec Králové, Czech Republic.
authors.forename: Simona
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Brokešová
authors.affiliation: Department of Oncology and Radiotherapy, University Hospital, Sokolská 581, 500 05 Hradec Králové, Czech Republic.
authors.forename: Miroslav
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Hodek
authors.affiliation: Department of Oncology and Radiotherapy, University Hospital, Sokolská 581, 500 05 Hradec Králové, Czech Republic.
authors.forename: Linda
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Kašaová
authors.affiliation: Department of Oncology and Radiotherapy, University Hospital, Sokolská 581, 500 05 Hradec Králové, Czech Republic.
authors.forename: Petr
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Paluska
keywords: High-dose rate brachytherapy; Oral cancer