Peroral irradiation for limited carcinoma of the oral cavity

Eighteen patients with limited squamous cell carcinoma of the oral cavity were irradiated through a peroral cone between 1965 and 1975. All had primary lesions less than 3 cm in greatest dimension, and none had evidence of regional or distant metastasis. The local control rate with a follow-up time of 1–10 years was 100%. Peroral irradiation is recommended for patients who meet the following criteria: primary located in a site accessible to a cone; primary equal to or lesser than 3 cm in greatest dimension; no deep invasion of underlying tissues; no regional or distant metastasis; cooperative patient capable of remaining still during treatment.