OBJECTIVES: The objective of the present study is to value the results obtained in the treatment of 28 patients a prospective group, affected of upper lip carcinoma treated through external molds of high dose rate brachytherapy. DESIGN OF THE STUDY: A total of 28 patients affected of lip carcinoma were treated through superficial ready--made molds and high dose rate brachytherapy. The dose of radiation given was 6,000 to 6,500 cGy in 33 to 36 fractions of 180 cGy on tumors up to 4 centimeters of diameter. On the big tumors the dose given was 7,500 to 8,000 cGy in 43 to 46 fractions. The patients were followed every 3 months, evaluating in each visit the local control, regional and at distance of the tumor, the existence of complications or sequels and the aesthetic result obtained. RESULTS: All the patients completed the foreseen treatment. All the cases had complete remission of the tumor. During the period of pursuit local relapses were not detected neither regional or at distance. Patients did not present immediate or late complications during the treatment. In the observations made 6 and 12 months after the treatment 27/28 patients had excellent or good aesthetic results. CONCLUSIONS: Because of the high control of the tumor,good tolerance to therapy, absence of complications and reverts,easy employment of molds, accuracy in positioning the source in the daily repetition of the treatment and the security that offers for radioprotection,we conclude that this therapy will probably be of habitual use the next years.
OBJECTIVES: The objective of the present study is to value the results obtained in the treatment of 28 patients a prospective group, affected of upper lip carcinoma treated through external molds of high dose rate brachytherapy. DESIGN OF THE STUDY: A total of 28 patients affected of lip carcinoma were treated through superficial ready--made molds and high dose rate brachytherapy. The dose of radiation given was 6,000 to 6,500 cGy in 33 to 36 fractions of 180 cGy on tumors up to 4 centimeters of diameter. On the big tumors the dose given was 7,500 to 8,000 cGy in 43 to 46 fractions. The patients were followed every 3 months, evaluating in each visit the local control, regional and at distance of the tumor, the existence of complications or sequels and the aesthetic result obtained. RESULTS: All the patients completed the foreseen treatment. All the cases had complete remission of the tumor. During the period of pursuit local relapses were not detected neither regional or at distance. Patients did not present immediate or late complications during the treatment. In the observations made 6 and 12 months after the treatment 27/28 patients had excellent or good aesthetic results. CONCLUSIONS: Because of the high control of the tumor,good tolerance to therapy, absence of complications and reverts,easy employment of molds, accuracy in positioning the source in the daily repetition of the treatment and the security that offers for radioprotection,we conclude that this therapy will probably be of habitual use the next years.