American journal of otolaryngology
-
From 1985 to 1987, 22 head and neck sites in 20 patients with recurrent tumors were treated with interstitial thermoradiotherapy (ITRT). The sites treated were 15 neck (68%), four tongue (18%), two parotid (9%), and one buccal mucosa (4%). Squamous cell carcinoma was diagnosed in 21 sites and adenocarcinoma in the other. ⋯ Serious complications occurred in two patients: one had localized soft tissue necrosis, the other had aspiration pneumonia. ITRT was well-tolerated by patients despite prior aggressive therapy. High objective response rate and low toxicity demonstrate the value of this treatment combination in the management of patients with postradiation recurrence of head and neck tumors.