Afterloading Interstitial Implant in Head and Neck Cancer

Abstract

• Seventy-nine patients with head and neck malignancies were treated using afterloading interstitial iridium 192 techniques at Los Angeles County-University of Southern California Medical Center and Southern California Cancer Center from Feb 1, 1974, to Nov 30, 1975. Twelve of the 13 T₁ and T₂ lesions and 17 of 25 T₃ and T₄ lesions remain locally controlled to a minimum follow-up period of 24 months. Surgical salvage in case of treatment failure is possible with low morbidity because of relatively low external irradiation to the total volume. Twenty of 41 patients who were reirradiated for persistent or recurrent cancers still have local control to a minimum follow-up period of 24 months. We discuss sites of involvement, implantation techniques, reactions, and complications. (Arch Otolaryngol 106:541-546, 1980)