Post-operative intensity-modulated radiotherapy for malignancies of the nasal cavity and paranasal sinuses.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the clinical outcome and toxicity of post-operative intensity-modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) for malignancies of the nasal cavity and paranasal sinuses.


METHODS
Twenty-five patients with histological proven cancer of the paranasal sinuses (n=21) or nasal cavity (n=4) were post-operatively treated with IMRT at the Leuven department to a total dose of 60 Gy (n=15) or 66 Gy (n=10). Both acute and chronic toxicity were prospectively scored in all patients.


RESULTS
Median follow-up was 27 months (range: 12-47 months) among surviving patients. The actuarial 2-year local control (LC), overall survival (OS) and disease-free survival (DFS) rates were 81%, 88% and 77%, respectively. One patient developed isolated distant metastasis, while none of the patients developed regional failure. No grade 3 or 4 toxicity was reported, either acute or chronic. No radiation-induced blindness or brain necrosis was reported to date, although longer follow-up has to be awaited for definitive results.


CONCLUSIONS
Post-operative IMRT for sinonasal cancer resulted in similar local control and survival rates as conventional or 3D-conformal radiotherapy techniques, and was associated with little acute toxicity. Longer follow-up is necessary to confirm the lack of late complications.
Dirix
Piet
P
Department of Radiation Oncology, Leuvens Kankerinstituut, University Hospitals Leuven, Campus Gasthuisberg, Herestraat 49, Leuven, Belgium. piet.dirix@uz.kuleuven.be
Nuyts
Sandra
S
Vanstraelen
Bianca
B
Nulens
An
A
Hermans
Robert
R
Jorissen
Mark
M
Vander Poorten
Vincent
V
Van den Bogaert
Walter
W
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009296:Nasal Cavity; D009669:Nose Neoplasms / Q000401:mortality / Q000532:radiotherapy* / Q000601:surgery; D010255:Paranasal Sinus Neoplasms / Q000401:mortality / Q000532:radiotherapy* / Q000601:surgery; D011184:Postoperative Period; D011446:Prospective Studies; D050397:Radiotherapy, Intensity-Modulated; D015996:Survival Rate; D016896:Treatment Outcome