Treatment of planocellular carcinoma of the nasal vestibule

In the ICD-9 system, carcinomas of the nasal vestibule are classified together with carcinomas in the nasal cavity. As a rule, however, they are squamous cell carcinomas derived from the skin, and thus prognosis is better than in the case of squamous cell carcinomas derived from the mucosa of the nasal cavity. The article highlights essential features of brachytherapy. The authors present a critical assessment of the criteria for staging, and describe a specific patient material. Based on clinical experience and theoretical considerations, brachytherapy alone is recommended for T1-3 N0 tumours. In the case of T4 tumours external radiation therapy and brachytherapy combined is recommended for the primary tumour, with prophylactical irradiation towards regional lymph nodes.