Early and long-term results of an original accelerated radiation therapy schedule in head and neck carcinoma.
From November 1985 until October 1988, 39 patients with head and neck carcinoma (6 patients stage I-II and 33 stage III-IV) were treated with an accelerated radiotherapy schedule designed to deliver 69.6 Gy over a period of 5 weeks. Treatment was started with 20 Gy in 10 daily fractions to sites of initial macroscopic involvement, followed by bi-fractionated radiotherapy (2 x 1.6 Gy/day) to a larger head and neck volume. Twenty patients received neo-adjuvant chemotherapy. A homolateral radical neck dissection was performed in 2 patients. Twenty-six patients (66.6%) presented with acute grade 3 complications and 5 patients (13%) with grade 4 complications. Thirteen patients (33.3%) were hospitalized for supportive care. None of the patients who were evaluated on a long-term basis developed grade 3 or 4 late complications. The 5-year loco-regional control and overall survival rates were 62.4% and 33.6% respectively. Although acute toxicity is higher than in monofractionated schedules, it is manageable, and can be considered acceptable in the light of the apparently good loco-regional control thus obtained. This schedule is one of several accelerated radiotherapy programs which might merit study in prospective trials.
Allal
A S
AS
Division of Radiation Oncology, University Hospital, Geneva, Switzerland.
Miralbell
R
R
Pipard
G
G
Guillemin
C
C
Lehmann
W
W
Kurtz
J M
JM
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D005260:Female; D006258:Head and Neck Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000473:pathology / Q000532:radiotherapy*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D011878:Radiotherapy / Q000009:adverse effects; D011879:Radiotherapy Dosage; D013997:Time Factors