Hyperfractionated accelerated radiotherapy in locally advanced head and neck cancers.
OBJECTIVE
Head and neck cancers are rapidly proliferating and relatively radiosensitive tumors. The increase in the number of daily fractions and the decrease in total treatment time give promising results in clinical practice.


METHODS
20 patients diagnosed with head and neck cancer between August 2000 and July 2001 participated in this study. Median age was 63 years (range: 42-78). The tumors were mainly located in the larynx (40%), and in the hypopharynx (25%). Daily doses of 1.5 Gy thrice a day in 6-h intervals were given on each of 12 consecutive days with the exception of weekends.


RESULTS
Median follow-up was 22 months (range: 1-62). The overall response rate was 90%, and grade IIII early toxicity was 24%. No grade IV early toxicity was observed. Grade IV late toxicity was observed just in 1 case. 5-year rates for locoregional recurrence, distant metastasis, progression-free survival, and overall survival were 45, 20, 20, and 25%, respectively.


CONCLUSIONS
Our schedule was acceptable regarding the toxicity. However, the high incidence of locoregional failures urges us to modify the treatment modality.
Yoney
Adnan
A
Department of Radiation Oncology, Okmeydani Training and Research Hospital, Sisli, Istanbul, Turkey. adnan@yoney.net
Akboru
Halil
H
Kandemir
Ozge
O
Unsal
Mustafa
M
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D019583:Dose Fractionation, Radiation; D004307:Dose-Response Relationship, Radiation; D005260:Female; D006258:Head and Neck Neoplasms / Q000532:radiotherapy*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009364:Neoplasm Recurrence, Local / Q000517:prevention & control*; D011879:Radiotherapy Dosage; D016896:Treatment Outcome