A retrospective evaluation was made of 260 patients with squamous carcinoma of various head and neck sites in order to determine the relative value of continuous vs. split-course irradiation techniques. There was no obvious difference in local control or survival in early-stage cases. The continuous technique resulted in a better local control and survival rate in moderately advanced and advanced stages. Complications were less severe in the split-course cases.
Cancer 35 : 15 33 -1 536, 1 9 75.
H E THERAPEUTIC RESULTS OF SPLIT-COURSE
T fractionation schemes for head and neck cancer have been reported by several 2tUthors,2.4.5.7-11 T h e split-course technique is used today in a variety of forms by many practitioners of radiation therapy. Therefore, a retrospective analysis was made to compare continuous and split-course techniques used for curative treatment in various squamous cell carcinomas of the head and neck M A T E R I A 1 3 Treatment region. AND METHODS Two techniques, continuous and split-course, have been used to irradiate head and neck squamous cell carcinomas. Both groups were I'resented at thc 16th .\nnu;il XleetinT of the i\merican ,Swirty 01 'l'herapeutic R~~lioloqists, Key Biscayne, FL,, O ctotier 30LN1iwmber 3. 1974. 1:roni thc Llnivrrsitv of Florida College of hledicine, (;.iinesville. PI. * Ilircctor. I)ivision nl Radiation 'I'herapy, and American (:iiiicer Society Ed (:. \riqht Xlernorial Professor in Clinical ()nc(iloqy. ' Presently Instructor in Radiation Oncology, Loma I .irida L'niversity hledical Center. Loma Linda, CA. While uiidwtakinq this research project I l r Zimrnermann was a \ isitinq rcsident at the Llnivrrsity of Florida Division 01 ld.ndiation 'l'herapy and was partly supported b y a n Anirrican (:ancer Society Clinical Fellowship.
']'lie ;authors wish to expwss their gratitude to 1h.Jaii M'. hu7m.i of r i t r 1)eparttnent of Miostatistics, and 1 0 rhc Sc ten-[ i l l ( (:~itnli~tt;iti~ins (:enter, Loma Linda Llnt\wrsiry. I.orn;t I itid;. (:., l o r [heir help with t h e statistical an;il)si> ~ireseiitrd in this piper. .\ddress for reprints I<odney K . Xlillion~ 111). l)ivisic~n 01 Ibidiat ion 'I'hrrapy. C'niversity of Florida Chllege 01 Xledicinr. (;ainesville. FL 32610.