Wound complications associated with brachytherapy for primary or salvage treatment of head and neck cancer

Brachytherapy can be employed in the primary or salvage treatment of head and neck cancer. The advantage of brachytherapy is the stereotactic limitation of radiation exposure to noninvolved tissues. Wound complications associated with brachytherapy have been discussed only sporadically in the litera...

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Bibliographic Details
Published inThe Laryngoscope Vol. 107; no. 11 Pt 1; p. 1464
Main Authors Righi, P D, Weisberger, E C, Krakovits, P R, Timmerman, R D, Wynne, M K, Shidnia, H
Format Journal Article
LanguageEnglish
Published United States 01.11.1997
Subjects
Adolescent
Adult
Aged
Brachytherapy - adverse effects
Carcinoma, Squamous Cell - radiotherapy
Child
Child, Preschool
Female
Follow-Up Studies
Head and Neck Neoplasms - radiotherapy
Humans
Male
Middle Aged
Radiation Dosage
Retrospective Studies
Salvage Therapy
Wound Infection - etiology
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Summary:Brachytherapy can be employed in the primary or salvage treatment of head and neck cancer. The advantage of brachytherapy is the stereotactic limitation of radiation exposure to noninvolved tissues. Wound complications associated with brachytherapy have been discussed only sporadically in the literature. This retrospective study examines 28 patients, 20 for initial treatment and eight for salvage, with varying site and stage head and neck cancer treated with brachytherapy in addition to external beam radiation therapy and/or surgery. The overall complication rate was 50% (14/28), with infection and minor flap breakdown being the most common problems. Tumor site in the primary treatment group was the only significant factor in wound complications. In the salvage group complications were minor and primarily related to flap coverage of brachytherapy catheters.
ISSN:0023-852X
DOI:10.1097/00005537-199711000-00008