Complications of combined surgery and neutron radiation therapy in patients with advanced carcinoma of the head and neck.
A total of 135 patients with advanced squamous-cell carcinoma of the head and neck were treated with cyclotron-generated fast neutrons. Thirty-eight had major surgery before or after irradiation. Major complications (fistula formation, carotid artery exposure or blowout requiring ligation, or major wound breakdown) occurred in 37%. The complication rates associated with surgery prior to irradiation, planned surgery following irradiation, and salvage surgery following irradiation were 0/12, 4/5, and 10/21, respectively. The complication rate for surgery following neutron irradiation alone was 73%; for surgery following mixed-beam irradiation it was 20%. The age of the patient and the interval between surgery and irradiation had no influence on the complication rate.
D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000532:radiotherapy* / Q000601:surgery; D005214:Fast Neutrons / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006258:Head and Neck Neoplasms / Q000532:radiotherapy* / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D010315:Particle Accelerators; D011183:Postoperative Complications; D011878:Radiotherapy / Q000009:adverse effects*; D011879:Radiotherapy Dosage