Time-Dose and Tumor Volume Relationships in the Irradiation of Squamous Cell Carcinoma of the Tonsillar Fossa

Abstract

Megavoltage irradiation was used in treating 129 patients with squamous cell carcinoma of the tonsillar fossa. The data were analyzed with time-dose scattergrams and by using the nominal standard dose (NSD) to correlate the probability of control of the primary lesion with dose and stage (tumor volume). All early lesions (T₁) were controlled with 6,500 rads given in 6.5 weeks. For more advanced disease (T₂), 7,000 rads in 7 weeks (or its equivalent) was required in order to obtain a high probability of local control. The largest lesions (T₃ and T₄) have been most effectively treated with doses of 7,500 rads in 8 weeks (or its equivalent). Complications have been correlated with dose and volume irradiated.