Intraoperative radiotherapy in patients with recurrent head and neck cancer

Journal Article · Tue Oct 01 04:00:00 EDT 1985 · Am. J. Surg.; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1016/0002-9610(85)90159-X· OSTI ID:6332253

Vikram, B; Strong, E W; Shah, J P; Spiro, R H; Gerold, F; Sessions, R B; Hilaris, B S

Patients with head and neck cancer who have a relapse of the disease above the clavicles can sometimes be salvaged by additional surgery. However, if all gross tumor cannot be removed during surgery or if the resection margins are unsatisfactory, the likelihood of salvage is remote, especially when postoperative radiotherapy is not feasible due to previous radiotherapy. Between 1979 and 1983, the authors employed intraoperative brachytherapy for 21 such patients. Sixteen patients had a recurrence after previous surgery and radiotherapy, and 5 after radical radiotherapy. All gross tumor could not be removed in 15 patients, whereas satisfactory margins could not be obtained in 6. In 11 patients, they delivered radiotherapy by a temporary implant of iridium-192 (median dose 4,800 rads in 6 days). In 10 patients, radiotherapy was delivered by a permanent implant of iodine-125 (median activity 13 mCi). Three patients (14 percent) had a relapse within the surgical field, whereas six others (28 percent) had a relapse elsewhere or had development of metastases. Complications developed in four patients (19 percent) and were fatal in one patient. Our experience suggests that intraoperative brachytherapy can salvage certain high-risk patients with head and neck cancer.

• Research Organization: Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY
• OSTI ID: 6332253
• Journal Information: Am. J. Surg.; (United States), Journal Name: Am. J. Surg.; (United States) Vol. 4; ISSN AJSUA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

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550603 -- Medicine-- External Radiation in Therapy-- (1980-)
560151* -- Radiation Effects on Animals-- Man
62 RADIOLOGY AND NUCLEAR MEDICINE
63 RADIATION, THERMAL, AND OTHER ENVIRON. POLLUTANT EFFECTS ON LIVING ORGS. AND BIOL. MAT.
BETA DECAY RADIOISOTOPES
BETA-MINUS DECAY RADIOISOTOPES
BETA-PLUS DECAY RADIOISOTOPES
BODY
BODY AREAS
DAYS LIVING RADIOISOTOPES
ELECTRON CAPTURE RADIOISOTOPES
EVALUATION
HEAD
HEAVY NUCLEI
IMPLANTS
INTERMEDIATE MASS NUCLEI
INTERNAL CONVERSION RADIOISOTOPES
IODINE 125
IODINE ISOTOPES
IRIDIUM 192
IRIDIUM ISOTOPES
ISOMERIC TRANSITION ISOTOPES
ISOTOPES
MEDICINE
MINUTES LIVING RADIOISOTOPES
NECK
NUCLEAR MEDICINE
NUCLEI
ODD-EVEN NUCLEI
ODD-ODD NUCLEI
PATIENTS
RADIATION SOURCE IMPLANTS
RADIATION SOURCES
RADIOISOTOPES
RADIOLOGY
RADIOTHERAPY
SIDE EFFECTS
SURGERY
THERAPY
YEARS LIVING RADIOISOTOPES