Radiation Therapy in Malignant Tumors of the Parotid Gland

Park, K R; Oh, W Y; Suh, C O; Kim, G E; Loh, J K; Park, J S; Min, J S

Abstract

From 1970 to 1982, thirty one patients with malignant tumors of the parotid gland were treated with radiation therapy at department of Radiation Oncology, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Yonsei Cancer Center. Indication for radiotherapy were as follows: 1) when there were microscopic or gross residual diseases (6 patients), 2) when patients considered to have high risk factors (15 patients), 3) when the tumor found to be inoperable (6 patients), 4) when there was recurrence after surgery (4 patients). Most patients were treated with a total of 5,000 to 6,500 cGy in 5 to 6 weeks except when there were gross diseases, in which patients received slightly higher dose up to 7,000 cGy in 7 weeks. Locoregional failure rate was 43% in patients with microscopic or gross residual disease and high risk factors (postoperative radiotherapy group) and 20% in patients with inoperable tumor and recurrence after surgery (primary radiotherapy group). There was no difference in the failure rates among the various histological types. Eight patients failed distantly. Severe complications appeared only in 2 patients irradiated for inoperable advanced diseases.