Brachytherapy of tumour recurrences in the region of the pharynx and oral cavity by means of a remote-controlled afterloading technique.

In the period 1981-86, 22 patients with local inoperable tumour recurrences in the mouth and pharynx area had endocavitary contact therapy using a remote-controlled afterloading system at the Radiotherapy Centre of the University of Heidelberg. All patients had had previous surgery and external-beam radiation; some had also received chemotherapy. The technique is described and preliminary results are discussed.