High-dose rate interstitial brachytherapy for stage I-II tongue cancer.

OBJECTIVE

This retrospective clinical study evaluated the usefulness of high-dose rate (HDR) brachytherapy for stage I-II tongue cancer in comparison with traditional low-dose rate (LDR) brachytherapy.

MATERIALS AND

METHODS

Twenty-five patients with stage I-II tongue cancer underwent HDR between 1995 and 1999. The status of local control and late neck metastasis, survival rate, and frequency of osteonecrosis in these patients were examined in comparison with a historical control made up of 71 patients who underwent LDR between 1980 and 1995.

RESULTS

The local control rate and survival rate were lower in the HDR group than in the LDR group. There were no apparent differences in the frequency of late neck metastasis between the two groups. Osteonecrosis occurred earlier and more frequently in the HDR group.

CONCLUSION

We would caution the use of HDR brachytherapy until further studies are done in many institutions.