Curative brachytherapy for recurrent/residual tongue cancer

The efficacy of curative low-dose-rate (LDR) brachytherapy for recurrent and/or residual cancer following radical operation or irradiation and posttreatment quality of life (QoL) were assessed.

Between January 1979 and April 2004, 88 patients who had received curative LDR brachytherapy (28 with postoperative close or positive margins, six with postoperative recurrence, six with recurrence after external-beam irradiation, and 48 with recurrent/residual cancer after curative brachytherapy) were analyzed retrospectively. Late complications were assessed based on the RTOG/EORTC late radiation morbidity score scheme.

The 5-year relapse-free and cause-specific survival rates were 92% and 96%, respectively, in the close/positive margin group and 52% and 56%, respectively, in the postbrachytherapy recurrence or residual cancer group. The incidence of late side effects was 8% (2/26) in the close or positive margin group and 22% (4/18) in the postbrachytherapy group. The only grade 4 late complication (bone exposure) was observed in one patient in the postbrachytherapy group.

LDR brachytherapy as reirradiation for recurrent/residual tongue cancer was effective, and there was no increase in complications.