The efficacy of gold-198 grain mold therapy for mucosal carcinomas of the oral cavity.

Gold-198 grain mold therapy was given to 27 patients with 29 oral cancers and the results were analysed. Single plane mold alone was chosen for treatment when the maximum thickness of the tumor was below 2 mm. For thicker tumors, external irradiation prior to mold therapy was added. The 5-year survival following these principles was 82%. Initial tumor control was obtained in all 27 lesions followed for more than 2 years but recurrence took place in 7 (26%). Of 20 patients whose primary lesion did not recur within 2 years, 6 subsequently required surgery (2 cases) or non-surgical treatment (4 cases) for bone complications. The results obtained by single plane mold therapy are encouraging, particularly with regard to gum cancers showing a minimum bone invasion, and should therefore be advocated for selected patients with oral carcinoma.