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Background: This study explores the safety and efficacy of strontium 90 (Sr-90) brachytherapy as the sole adjuvant therapy for carcinoma in situ (CIS) and squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) of the conjunctiva in a high HIV prevalent area., Methods: This is a retrospective case review of patients treated with 60 Gray Sr-90 brachytherapy in four divided doses after resection with a 2 mm margin and histological confirmation. Cryotherapy or alcohol debridement was not performed at the time of excision due to limited resources. Two plaque sizes, 8.5 mm and 18 mm, were used., Results: Sixty-nine patients were treated and had a median follow-up of 27 months (range 6-127). Thirty-three (47.8%) were HIV-positive. CIS was present in 40.6% and SCC in 59.4%. The surgical margins were positive in 39 (56.5%). Twenty patients (29.0%) were treated with the 18 mm plaque and 49 (71.0%) with the 8.5 mm plaque. Eight (11.6%) patients developed a recurrence at a median of 5 months (range 2-40). Recurrences only occurred in patients treated with the 8.5 mm plaque (p=0.094). There was no significant effect of HIV status, positive margins or staging on the number of recurrences. Treatment side effects were a dry eye in five patients which was successfully managed with topical lubricants, and induced astigmatism of 1 dioptre of cylinder in one patient., Conclusions: Sr-90 brachytherapy is safe and effective in preventing recurrences in ocular surface squamous neoplasia in a high HIV prevalent setting. The 18 mm plaque size is superior to the 8.5 mm plaque size., (Published by the BMJ Publishing Group Limited. For permission to use (where not already granted under a licence) please go to http://group.bmj.com/group/rights-licensing/permissions.)

Purpose: Brachytherapy is an acknowledged modality for treating head and neck cancers and has moved from low-dose-rate (LDR) to high-dose-rate remote afterloading to reduce staff exposure. Iodine-125 ((125)I) is a low-energy source and can be used for LDR brachytherapy with minimal staff exposure. The results of treating with this isotope at Groote Schuur Hospital, Cape Town, are reported here., Methods and Materials: (125)I brachytherapy was used to treat 114 tumors from 1994 to 2010. Brachytherapy alone was used for 72 tumors, 39 postsurgery and 33 de novo. A brachytherapy boost together with external beam radiotherapy was used for 42 tumors, eight postsurgery and 34 de novo. Tumors were in the tongue, floor of mouth, soft palate, and tonsil, and mainly T1 or T2 classification. Brachytherapy was administered via an applicator or in plastic tubes implanted into the soft tissues or through the submandibular region., Results: Local control rates of 80.7% at 5 years and 80% at 10 years were comparable to LDR, pulsed-dose-rate, and high-dose-rate results with iridium-192, likewise the 5- and 10-year disease-specific survival rate of 74.3%. Complications of soft tissue ulceration occurred in 21 patients (18.4%) and healed spontaneously in 20 patients. There was no mandibular necrosis., Conclusions: (125)I can be used as the sole treatment or as a boost to external beam radiotherapy, with or without surgery for early mouth cancer. It combines the radiobiological advantages of LDR brachytherapy with minimum staff exposure. It is a flexible system. Local control is excellent with acceptable morbidity, and the treatment time is short., (Copyright © 2014 American Brachytherapy Society. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)