Salvage irradiation of oropharynx and mobile tongue about 192 iridium brachytherapy in Centre Alexis Vautrin.

Between 1972 and 1984, 123 patients were treated using 192 Iridium afterloading techniques for recurrence or new cancer of the tongue or oropharynx arising in previously irradiated tissues. The actuarial local control was 67% at 2 years and 59% at 5 years. Local control of the tumor was achieved in the majority of these patients, the actuarial survival was only 48% at 2 years and 24% at 5 years. Twenty-eight patients developed mucosal necrosis. We analyzed prognostic factors for survival, local control, and complication. We proposed a selection for this salvage therapy.