[Radiation ulcers after Cf-252 treatment of patients with cancer of the tongue].

A study was made of the frequency, clinical appearance and therapeutic methods of radiation injuries in 12 out of 57 patients who were treated for cancer of the tongue using interstitial therapy with 252Cf. The most frequent radiation injuries were observed in patients (6 out of 18, i.e. 34%) who were treated for recurrent and residual tumors after previous radiotherapeutic courses as compared to the treatment of primary malignant lesions in 6 out 39 (15%) patients. The clinical picture of radiation injuries of the tongue presented an ulcer of various sizes. A clinical classification of radiation injuries of the tongue was developed depending on the degree of the manifestations. Among causative factors the most important role is played by an absorbed tumor dose which when exceeding 9 Gy in patients with primary tumors and 8 Gy in patients with recurrent and residual tumors, resulted in radiation injuries. The development of radiation injuries is also influenced by poor hygiene and the oral cavity, and such harmful habits as smoking and alcohol consumption. Conservative therapeutic measures made it possible to achieve a complete epithelization of ulcers.