High-dose-rate interstitial brachytherapy for mobile tongue cancer: preliminary results of a dose reduction trial.
OBJECTIVE
To compare the outcome of our facility with another about the shortened schedule (60 Gy in 10 fractions to 54 Gy in 9 fractions) of high-dose-rate interstitial brachytherapy (HDR ISBT) for mobile tongue cancer.


METHODS
Eighteen patients were treated with HDR ISBT as a monotherapy in dose reduction schedule with some unique technique to determine the border of tumor accuracy (lugol's staining and metal marker), and to minimize adverse effect (lead-lined silicon block) at our facility.


RESULTS
The 2-year local and regional control rates and cause-specific survival rate were 82%, 80%, and 83% and moderate to severe late complications occurred in five patients (28%), which were almost the same treatment results achieved by another facility.


CONCLUSIONS
We recommend 54 Gy in 9 fractions over 7 days as a feasible treatment to reduce patient discomfort in mobile tongue cancer patients.
Department of Oral Radiology, Osaka Dental University, Japan.
Hironori
H
Akiyama
Department of Radiology, Osaka Medical College, Japan.
Ken
K
Yoshida
Department of Radiology, Kyoto Prefectural University of Medicine, Japan.
Hideya
H
Yamazaki
Department of Radiology, National Hospital Organization Osaka National Hospital, Japan.
Tadashi
T
Takenaka
Department of Radiation Oncology, National Hospital Organization Osaka National Hospital, Japan.
Tadayuki
T
Kotsuma
Department of Radiology, Kyoto Prefectural University of Medicine, Japan.
Koji
K
Masui
Department of Radiation Oncology, Osaka University Graduate School of Medicine, Japan.
Yasuo
Y
Yoshioka
Department of Oral Surgery, National Hospital Organization Osaka National Hospital, Japan.
Takumi
T
Arika
Department of Oral Radiology, Osaka Dental University, Japan.
Kimishige
K
Shimizutani
Department of Radiation Oncology, National Hospital Organization Osaka National Hospital, Japan.
Eiichi
E
Tanaka
dose reduction; high-dose-rate brachytherapy; tongue cancer