The role of radiation therapy in treatment with preservation of shape and function in intraoral cancer

The goal in treating intraoral cancer is to obtain tumor control with preservation of shape and function of oral cavity. For T1, T2 lesions of the tongue, the floor of the mouth and the cheek mucosa, interstitial radiation therapy provides a control rate of 80-90% with excellent preservation of function. With surgical salvage for persistent or recurrent tumor, the ultimate control rate is 90-95%. Unfortunately, for more advanced lesions surgery is frequently required to obtain local control. The use of bleomycin or peplomycin in simultaneous combination with external radiation therapy provides a good chance of local control without surgery. For T1, T2 lesions of the lower gum and the cheek mucosa complete response rate is approximately 65% and 70% of these are cured without surgery. With surgical salvage for persistent or recurrent tumor the ultimate control rate is 90%. For most of the poor responders surgery or interstitial irradiation is required to control the tumor.