Results with 192Ir interstitial brachytherapy in 80 cases of carcinoma of the oral tongue and floor of the mouth

Results with interstitial ¹⁹²Ir brachytherapy as the sole or main treatment in 80 cases of carcinoma of the oral tongue and floor of the mouth are presented. Local control was achieved in 81% (T1 91.5%; T2 89%; T3 74%). Serious necrosis was observed in 24% (37% in T3). Two- and three-year survivals were 65% and 50% respectively. The fact that nodal metastases eventually developed in 21.4% of initially N0 and N1 (-) subjects is seen as evidence that prophylactic irradiation of the nodes in such subjects may prove profitable.