Results of interstitial radiation therapy with iridium-192 for patients with carcinoma of the oral tongue

Between 1973 and 1985, 286 patients with squamous cell carcinoma of the oral tongue (T1NO: 72; T2NO: 180; T3NO: 34) were treated with Iridium-192 interstitial irradiation at the Department of Radiology, Osaka University Hospital. Five-year control rates of the primary lesion by Iridium-192 implant alone or in combination with external irradiation was 70% (T1: 77%; T2: 71%; T3: 47%), and ultimate local control rate after salvage surgery only for recurrence was 85% (T1: 93%; T2: 87%; T3: 62%). These results are comparable to those obtained by interstitial therapy with radium needles, with the superior advantage of lower risk to the medical staff.