Interstitial brachytherapy for carcinomas of the lower lip. Results of treatment

From 1973 to 1988 47 patients with previously untreated T1 and T2 squamous cell carcinomas of the lower lip received a definitive course of interstitial brachytherapy by iridium 192 wires. The disease stage was T1 in 21 cases (44.7%) and T2 in 26, and N0 in all cases except 2 of N1. Radiation therapy dose ranged between 6000 and 8000 cGy. Local control was obtained in 44 patients (93.6%). Treatment failure in the neck was observed in 3 patients (6.7%). The 5- and 10-year actuarial disease-free survival rates were 92% and 85%, respectively. A surgical salvage was attempted in 3 patients, with postoperative definitive control of the disease in 2. The 10-year actuarial overall survival was 95%. The incidence of complications was acceptable (10.6% of mucosal necrosis). An excellent or good cosmetic result was obtained in 91.7% of patients.