An original technique of brachytherapy for T1 T2 carcinomas of the mobile tongue.

Abstract

Twenty-four patients with T1 or T2 (17 T1 N0, 7 T2 N0 not exceeding 3 cm) epidermoid carcinomas from the middle third of the mobile tongue benefit from brachytherapy with "cavaliers-legos" consisting of guide-gutters that are inserted in a rigid support (legos) and covered with a lead plate. Several advantages can be advocated with this technique: easy implantation even with local anaesthetic, no risk of bleeding, good parallelism between Iridium wires, protection of the mandible with the lead plate. Local control was achieved in 22/24 patients (92%). Four patients (16%) developed soft tissue necrosis but only one required surgical intervention and no mandibular necrosis was seen.