title: Radiotherapy in the treatment of stage III-IV hypopharyngeal carcinoma.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The aim of this study was to evaluate the role of radiation therapy alone, employing standard fractionation, in stage III-IV hypopharyngeal carcinoma.
  
  
  METHODS
  Fourteen (38.9%) stage III and 22 (61.1%) stage IV patients with hypopharyngeal carcinoma were submitted, with curative intent, to exclusive radiotherapy to the primary tumor and regional draining lymph nodes, level II, III, IV, V and VI. Total dose ranged from 68 to 72 Gy.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The 5-year overall survival (OS) and disease-specific survival (DSS) rates were 15.6% and 28.1%, respectively. Five-year OS in stage III and IV patients was, respectively, 33% and 5% (p=0.028) and DSS was, respectively, 50% and 16% (p=0.029). Five-year OS and DSS rate in N0 versus N+ patients were respectively 37.5% and 75% versus 8.3% and 12.5% (p=0.07 and p=0.05).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Overall survival at 5 years for III-IV hypopharyngeal tumor treated with radiotherapy alone is poor. It is possible that the addition of the best radiation fractionation to the best concurrent chemotherapy may improve the results, with acceptable toxicity.
authors.affiliation: University of L'Aquila, Department of Experimental Medicine, Radiotherapy Unit of S. Salvatore Hospital, L'Aquila, Italy. tmbolini52@ciaoweb.it
authors.forename: Vincenzo
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Tombolini
authors.forename: Mario
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Santarelli
authors.forename: Nicola
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Raffetto
authors.forename: Vittorio
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Donato
authors.forename: Maurizio
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Valeriani
authors.forename: Antonio
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Ferretti
authors.forename: R Maurizi
authors.initials: RM
authors.lastname: Enrici
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000473:pathology / Q000532:radiotherapy*; D019583:Dose Fractionation, Radiation; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007012:Hypopharyngeal Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology / Q000532:radiotherapy*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009367:Neoplasm Staging