Pretreatment prognostic factors of local recurrence-free survival in locally advanced squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck treated with radiation therapy with or without concurrent chemotherapy.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate various pretreatment prognostic factors influencing local recurrence-free survival (LRFS) in locally advanced squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck.


METHODS
During 2 consecutive prospective randomized trials, a total of 289 patients were treated with either 70 Gy (1.8-2.0 Gy per fraction) or 77 Gy (1.1 Gy bid) with or without concurrent daily platinum chemotherapy.


RESULTS
Gender (P = 0.99) and age (P = 0.10) did not influence LRFS, while KPS (P < 0.0001), T- (P < 0.0001), N-stage (P < 0.0001), and stage grouping (P = 0.0001) influenced LRFS and treatment did (P < 0.0001) although tumor location was marginally insignificant (P = 0.067). Univariate Cox analysis confirmed these findings, with primary tumor location now becoming significant (P = 0.01). A multivariate analysis showed that only KPS, T-, N-stage, and treatment independently predicted LRFS.


CONCLUSIONS
When corrected for treatment effect, of all examined potential prognostic factors only KPS, T-and N-stage independently predicted LRFS.
Jeremić
Branislav
B
Department of Oncology, University Hospital, Kragujevac, Serbia. b.jeremic@iaea.org
Milicić
Biljana
B
D000368:Aged; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology / Q000532:radiotherapy* / Q000556:secondary; D017024:Chemotherapy, Adjuvant; D018572:Disease-Free Survival; D019583:Dose Fractionation, Radiation; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006258:Head and Neck Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology / Q000532:radiotherapy*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015999:Multivariate Analysis; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D010984:Platinum / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D011379:Prognosis; D011829:Radiation Dosage
D010984:Platinum