Brachytherapy with 192Ir as treatment of carcinoma of the tarsal structure of the eyelid.

PURPOSE: Some eyelid tumors present a great challenge for surgical therapy because of the cosmetic and functional impairment. Interstitial radiation with (192)Ir is an optimal alternative treatment modality. The aim of this study was to evaluate the local tumor control and cosmetic results in patients with eyelid tumors treated by interstitial (192)Ir wires.

METHODS AND MATERIALS: Twenty-four previously untreated carcinomas involving the eyelid tarsal structure in 23 patients were treated with (192)Ir wire implantation. The tumor location was in the lower eyelid in 22 cases and in the upper eyelid in 2. The mean tumor size was 1.33 cm. Of the 24 tumors, 79.2% were basal cell carcinoma, 16.7% were squamous cell carcinoma, and 4.2% were adenocarcinoma. The total radiation dose was 4000 cGy, delivered to 2-mm depth (mean dose rate, 73 cGy/h).

RESULTS: The mean follow-up was 43 months. Local control was obtained in 22 (91.6%) of 24 tumors. Good functional results were achieved in all patients.

CONCLUSION: (192)Ir interstitial brachytherapy in a braided silk filament appears to be an excellent method to treat carcinomas involving the eyelid tarsal structure for tumor control and functional and cosmetic results.