PROGRESS AND REVIEW OF BRACHYTHERAPY FOR CANCER OF THE ORAL REGION

Abstract

Radiation therapy contribute greatly to the treatment of head and neck cancer, becausei t maintains the normal anatomy, minimizes functional loss, and facilitates a patient's return to work. Brachytherapy using small radiation sources is an indispensable modality for the treatment of cancer of the oral region, in which emphasis should be laid on the maintenance of normal anatomy and function and a high quality of life. Brachytherapy was performed in 62% of the radiation therapy patients with cancer of the oral region. Interstitial brachytherapy with radium, ¹⁹²Ir-hairpin was administered to more than 80% of the patients with tongue cancer and ¹⁹⁸Augrain was frequently used for other site of the oral region. Introduction of the remote afterloading system (RALS) has completely eliminated the possibility of personnel exposure and increased the indication for brachytheapy. There is a lot of work to be done in the near future, including the establishment of dose-time relationship for RALS and the development of related apparatus and instruments and the standardization of dose assesment.