High-dose-rate interstitial brachytherapy for oropharyngeal carcinoma: results of 83 lesions in 82 patients

Abstract

Purpose Low-dose-rate interstitial brachytherapy (LDRIB) represents an effective modality for treatment of oropharyngeal carcinoma. The drawback is radioexposure of medical personnel. To eliminate this concern, we initiated high-dose-rate interstitial brachytherapy (HDRIB) in 1993. The present study evaluated the efficacy and complications associated with this approach. Methods and materials Between 1993 and 2003, HDRIB ± external radiotherapy was used to treat 83 oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinomas. Median duration of follow-up was 26 months (range, 1–108 months). Of the 82 patients, 76 were previously untreated and 6 displayed previous history of head and neck cancer. T distribution comprised T1 ( n = 7), T2 ( n = 47), T3 ( n = 24), and T4a ( n = 5). External radiotherapy of 46 Gy was combined with 21 Gy/3.5 fractions/2 days HDRIB for 68 lesions, and 48 Gy/8 fractions/5 days HDRIB alone was used for 15 lesions. Involved nodes were either boosted by external radiotherapy or resected. Results Five-year local control, regional control, cause-specific and overall survival rates were 82%, 84%, 88%, and 64%, respectively. Local control rates for early (T1/T2) and advanced (T3/T4) tumors were 89% and 66%, respectively ( p = 0.02). Transient soft tissue necrosis was experienced in 29% of patients. No bone sequelae were observed in previously untreated patients. Conclusions High-dose-rate interstitial brachytherapy could achieve excellent local control and acceptable rates of complication, equivalent to reported results for LDRIB series. Given the advantage of radioprotection, HDRIB may replace LDRIB in the treatment of oropharyngeal carcinoma.