Results and indications of radiotherapy in the treatment of carcinoma of the mouth floor

175 carcinomas of the floor of the mouth were treated by radiotherapy in the years 1971-81: 47 T1 (26.9%) 87 T2 (49.7%) 19 T3 (10.8%) 22 T4 (12.6%). According to local extension the primary was treated by curietherapy in 92 patients (52.6%), external radiotherapy plus curietherapy boost in 8 (4.6%), radiosurgical combinations in 25 (14.3%) and external radiotherapy alone in 50 (28.5%). 131 patients were initially N0 (74.9%) 23 N1 (13.1%) 21 N2-3 (12.0%). The treatment on the nodal areas was: wait and see in 84 patients (48.0%) surgery in 39 (22.3%) radiosurgical combinations in 21 (12.0%) external radiotherapy alone in 31 (17.7%). Relapses free survival at 2 and 5 years was respectively 52.5% and 44.1%. Local control was obtained for 37/41 T1 cases (90.2%) 58/71 T2 (81.7%) 9/25 T3-T4 (36.0%). 37/137 patients with adequate follow-up (greater than or equal to 1 year) experienced some radionecrotic complications (27.0%). The overall incidence of the second tumors was 7.3% (10 cases).