title: Outcome after re-irradiation of head and neck cancer patients.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To retrospectively report the outcome of head and neck cancer patients following re-irradiation.
  
  
  METHODS
  A total of 51 patients with recurrent or second primary head and neck cancer received re-irradiation at Leuven University Hospital. Survival and locoregional control were calculated. Doses to organs at risk were retrieved from dose-volume histograms. Radiation-related toxicities were reported.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The 2-year actuarial overall survival rate was 30%. On univariate analysis, surgery before re-irradiation and high radiation dose were associated with superior survival. Grade 3 acute and grade 3 or more late toxicity occurred in respectively 29.4% and 35.3% of the patients.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Re-irradiation in head and neck cancer patients is feasible with acceptable late toxicity, although the survival remains poor.
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiation Oncology, Leuvens Kankerinstituut, University Hospitals Leuven, Campus Gasthuisberg, Leuven, Belgium. neleplatteaux@yahoo.com
authors.forename: Nele
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Platteaux
authors.forename: Piet
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Dirix
authors.forename: Bianca
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Vanstraelen
authors.forename: Sandra
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Nuyts
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001918:Brachytherapy; D017024:Chemotherapy, Adjuvant; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008207:Lymphatic Metastasis / Q000473:pathology / Q000532:radiotherapy; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009364:Neoplasm Recurrence, Local / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000401:mortality / Q000473:pathology / Q000532:radiotherapy*; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D016609:Neoplasms, Second Primary / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000401:mortality / Q000473:pathology / Q000532:radiotherapy*; D010039:Otorhinolaryngologic Neoplasms / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000401:mortality / Q000473:pathology / Q000532:radiotherapy*; D011832:Radiation Injuries / Q000209:etiology*; D011879:Radiotherapy Dosage; D011880:Radiotherapy Planning, Computer-Assisted; D020266:Radiotherapy, Conformal; D019233:Retreatment; D015996:Survival Rate; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed; D047368:Tumor Burden