Clinical evaluation on controlling postoperative recurrence of oral squamous cell carcinoma by intracavity brachytherapy.

The purpose of this research was to evaluate the clinical outcome and factors influencing postoperative intracavity brachytherapy in treating oral squamous cell carcinoma. As a part of their primary treatment, 108 patients received postoperative intracavity brachytherapy only and 85 patients received postoperative intracavity brachytherapy with external radiotherapy. 78 patients were given surgical treatment alone as a control. The survival rates and local tumor control rates were calculated and the therapeutic effects of various treatment methods compared. Overall 5- and 10-year survival rates for patients receiving surgical treatment alone, postoperative intracavity brachytherapy with or without external radiotherapy were 59% and 17%, 73% and 47%, 78% and 57%, respectively. The corresponding local tumor control rates were 53% and 51%, 73% and 71%, 75% and 73%, respectively. Surgical treatment with postoperative intracavity brachytherapy controlled tumor recurrence effectively (p<0.01) and improved survival rates (p<0.01). UICC stages, grading and tumor site had an important influence on overall survival and local tumor control rates. Local tumor excision followed by postoperative intracavity brachytherapy achieved good local tumor control and survival rate, and may be considered as a new and routine treatment for oral cancer.