title: Split-course accelerated hyperfractionation (CHA-CHA) for advanced head and neck cancers -- preliminary results.
abstract: The purpose of the study was to evaluate toxicity and effectiveness of the split course, accelerated hyperfractionation with a planned gap (CHA-CHA) on a base of the pilot group treatment results. The material consisted of 27 patients with advanced (T2N2c-3, T3-4N2), oral cavity, oro- hypopharynx and larynx cancers, irradiated with a df 1.6 Gy twice a day, with 6-hour gap, up to TD 64 Gy in 28 days, with 8-day gap in a middle. Mean tumor dimensions were 4.2 and 3.9 cm in X and Y axes, respectively and mean nodes dimensions 3.9 cm in both axes. The course and intensity of the mucositis were evaluated in the Dische scale together with the degree of a tumor and nodes regression. Survival analysis and dependencies evaluation between physical/biological factors and treatment results were performed. The mucositis intensity was high from 2nd to 5th week (the highest mean - 15 Dische points in 4th week), but on acceptable level. 54.5% of CR of the tumor and 57.1% of nodes were noted. Survival analysis showed 44% of a 2-year and 35% of a 4-year OS and 44% of a 2-year and 38% of a 4-year survival excluding deaths from distant metastases. Correlation between the hemoglobin level and the nodal regression two months after the radiotherapy (p=0.01), showed the tumor diameter and TCP (p=0.047), the OS and the nodes diameter (p=0.004), the PS (p=0.02) and the hemoglobin level (p=0.04). CHA-CHA could be a valid method in advanced head and neck cancer treatment but its efficacy should be confirmed in randomized phase of trial.
authors.affiliation: Radiotherapy Department, Maria Sklodowska-Curie memorial Institute, 44-100 Gliwice, Poland. leszek@io.gliwice.pl
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Miszczyk
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Wozniak
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Tarnawski
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Maciejewski
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D019583:Dose Fractionation, Radiation; D005260:Female; D006258:Head and Neck Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology / Q000532:radiotherapy*; D006454:Hemoglobins / Q000032:analysis; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009362:Neoplasm Metastasis; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D016019:Survival Analysis; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D006454:Hemoglobins