title: Split-course accelerated hyperfractionation radiotherapy for advanced head and neck cancer: influence of split time and overall treatment time on local control.
abstract: We analyzed 52 patients with stage III and IV head and neck cancer who were given split-course accelerated hyperfractionated radiotherapy with curative intent, focusing particularly on the influence of split-time on local control. An initial complete response was achieved in 16 patients (31%), and the rate of persistent local control at 3 years was 23%. The cause specific survival rate at 3 years was 29%. Univariate analysis of local control according to the split-time duration and overall treatment time showed that shorter duration (< or = 14 days or < or = 45 days, respectively) had a significantly positive impact on local control (P < 0.05). Multivariate analysis using local control as an endpoint also demonstrated that gender (women showing a better outcome than men) and split-time (< or = 14 days was better than > 14 days) were statistically significant factors for local control. These results suggest that shortening the split-time during radiotherapy might improve local control in accelerated hyperfractionation.
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology and Radiation Oncology, Gunma University School of Medicine, Japan.
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Akimoto
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Mitsuhashi
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Hayakawa
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Sakurai
authors.forename: O
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Murata
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Ishizeki
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Ishikawa
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Nasu
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Yamakawa
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Niibe
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000473:pathology / Q000532:radiotherapy* / Q000601:surgery; D002423:Cause of Death; D019583:Dose Fractionation, Radiation; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006258:Head and Neck Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology / Q000532:radiotherapy* / Q000601:surgery; D006801:Humans; D008207:Lymphatic Metastasis; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015999:Multivariate Analysis; D009364:Neoplasm Recurrence, Local / Q000517:prevention & control; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D016016:Proportional Hazards Models; D011879:Radiotherapy Dosage; D011882:Radiotherapy, High-Energy; D012074:Remission Induction; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D016879:Salvage Therapy; D012737:Sex Factors; D015996:Survival Rate; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome