[Role of iridium-192 endocurietherapy in the treatment of T1 and T2 tumors of the tonsillar region].

From July 1971 to August 1981, 31 selected patients with T1, T2 tumours of the Tonsillar region were treated according to the following protocol: Telecobalt therapy to the primary site and to neck nodes to a dose of 45 Gy, Brachytherapy to the primary site to a dose of 25-30 Gy using iridium 192, Boost dose to involved neck nodes, with electrons, or radical neck dissection, wether N1, N2 or N3. The actuarial survival free of disease is 76% for the whole group and 86% for the NO group. The local control rate is 100% without any recurrences at the primary site having been observed. Disease control in the neck is 94% overall and 100% for the NO group. The effects on salivary function were reduced in comparison with telecobalt therapy alone. These favourable results favour the use of this protocol for superficial, minimally infiltrating tumours less than 4 cm in diameter without obvious extension to the base of the tongue or retromolar trigone.