Irradiation of localized squamous cell carcinoma of the nasal vestibule

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the long-term results of primary radiotherapy treatment for squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) of the nasal vestibule. METHODS: Eighty-one patients were treated with external beam radiotherapy (EBRT) and/or interstitial radiotherapy (IRT) for a primary, localized, Wang classified SCC of the nasal vestibule. RESULTS: Median follow-up was 38 months. T1 tumors were treated with IRT: we observed 1 local failure (at 13 months) among 48 patients (5-year local control rate of 97%). Most T2 tumors (20 of 26) were treated with EBRT. There were 8 local recurrences among 26 patients (5-year local control rate of 68%). For the T3 tumors (n = 7; all treated with EBRT), we observed local recurrence in 2 patients (5-year local control rate of 53%). The late-term side effects were relatively mild. CONCLUSION: Local primary radiotherapy (either IRT for T1 or EBRT for T2/3) is an adequate treatment for SCC of the nasal vestibule with little late sequelae.