title: Neutron vs photon irradiation of inoperable salivary gland tumors: results of an RTOG-MRC Cooperative Randomized Study.
abstract: A total of 32 patients with inoperable, recurrent or unresectable malignant salivary gland tumors were entered on a randomized RTOG/MRC study comparing fast neutron radiotherapy with conventional photon radiotherapy. Twenty-five patients were entered from the United States and 7 patients were entered from Scotland. Seventeen patients were randomized to receive neutrons and 15 patients were randomized to receive photons. Sixty-one percent of the neutron-treated patients and 75% of the photon-treated patients presented with inoperable or unresectable tumors, while 39% of the neutron-treated and 25% of the photon-treated patients had recurrent disease. Twenty-five patients were study-eligible and analyzable. The minimum follow-up time is 2 years. The complete tumor clearance rates at the primary site were 85% (11/13) for neutrons and 33% (4/12) for photons following protocol treatment (p = 0.01). The complete tumor clearance rates in the cervical lymph nodes were 86% (6/7) for neutrons and 25% (1/4) for photons. The overall loco/regional complete tumor response rates were 85% and 33% for neutrons and photons respectively. The loco/regional control rates at 2 years for the 2 groups are 67% for neutrons and 17% for photons (p less than 0.005). The 2-year survival rates are 62% and 25% for neutrons and photons respectively (p = 0.10). These findings are consistent with previously published uncontrolled series.
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Washington Hospital/School of Medicine, Seattle 98195.
authors.forename: T W
authors.initials: TW
authors.lastname: Griffin
authors.forename: T F
authors.initials: TF
authors.lastname: Pajak
authors.forename: G E
authors.initials: GE
authors.lastname: Laramore
authors.forename: W
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Duncan
authors.forename: M P
authors.initials: MP
authors.lastname: Richter
authors.forename: F R
authors.initials: FR
authors.lastname: Hendrickson
authors.forename: M H
authors.initials: MH
authors.lastname: Maor
mesh_terms: D000230:Adenocarcinoma / Q000532:radiotherapy; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002277:Carcinoma / Q000532:radiotherapy; D003528:Carcinoma, Adenoid Cystic / Q000532:radiotherapy; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000532:radiotherapy; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D005214:Fast Neutrons; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009502:Neutrons; D011379:Prognosis; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011897:Random Allocation; D012468:Salivary Gland Neoplasms / Q000532:radiotherapy*