Interstitial radiation therapeutic techniques at Mount Vernon Hospital

Area of Science:

• Oncology
• Radiation Oncology
• Surgical Oncology

Background:

• Carcinoma of the tongue, particularly on the lateral border, presents treatment challenges.
• Radium needle implantation has been a historical treatment modality for these cancers.
• Understanding recurrence patterns is crucial for improving patient outcomes.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the efficacy of radium needle implant monotherapy for tongue cancer.
• To analyze local recurrence rates and identify contributing factors.
• To explore potential improvements in brachytherapy techniques.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective analysis of 56 tongue cancer cases treated with radium needle implant.
• Calculation of 5-year actuarial survival and local recurrence rates stratified by T-stage (T1N0, T2N0).
• Comparison with historical data for breast cancer treated with radium implant.

Main Results:

• 5-year actuarial survival: 75.3% for T1N0 and 81.8% for T2N0 tongue cancer.
• 5-year local recurrence: 17.5% for T1N0 and 35% for T2N0 tongue cancer.
• High local recurrence (66.2%) noted in breast cancer cases treated with radium implant.

Conclusions:

• Radium needle implant monotherapy offers moderate survival for early-stage tongue cancer.
• Local recurrences in tongue cancer are linked to inadequate tumor coverage by the implant.
• Afterloading techniques and 192Ir warrant further investigation for improved brachytherapy efficacy and safety.