title: Comparison of limited-volume perioperative high-dose-rate brachytherapy and wide-field external irradiation in resected head and neck cancer.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  This study aimed to test the safety of using perioperative high-dose-rate brachytherapy (PHDRB) in resected head and neck cancer.
  
  
  METHODS
  From 2000 to 2008, 97 patients received PHDRB after complete macroscopic resection. Group 1 (previously irradiated patients) received 32 to 40 Gray (Gy) of PHDRB in 8 to 10 twice-daily (bid) treatments (R0-R1 resections). Group 2 (unirradiated patients) received 16 to 24 Gy of PHDRB in 4 to 6 bid treatments (R0-R1 resections) followed by external beam irradiation (EBRT) of 45 Gy/25 daily fractions ± concomitant chemotherapy.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The median follow-up was 4.3 years. The cumulative hazard of 2-year grade ≥ 3 complications in group 1 was 45.9%, and the rate of grade ≥ 3 complications in group 2 was 24.6%. Actuarial locoregional control at 2 and 5 years for group 1 was 60.9% and for group 2, 84.1% and 79.4%.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Complications and locoregional failure rates were similar to those reported in the reference standards despite a much smaller treatment volume.
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiation, Clínica Universitaria de Navarra, University of Navarre, Navarre, Spain.
authors.forename: Miren
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Gaztañaga
authors.forename: María
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Pagola
authors.forename: Mauricio
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Cambeiro
authors.forename: Maria E
authors.initials: ME
authors.lastname: Rodriguez Ruiz
authors.forename: Javier
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Aristu
authors.forename: Néstor
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Montesdeoca
authors.forename: Juan
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Alcalde
authors.forename: Rafael
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Martínez-Monge
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001918:Brachytherapy; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000401:mortality / Q000628:therapy*; D059186:Chemoradiotherapy, Adjuvant; D002945:Cisplatin / Q000008:administration & dosage; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006258:Head and Neck Neoplasms / Q000401:mortality / Q000628:therapy*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009362:Neoplasm Metastasis; D009364:Neoplasm Recurrence, Local; D017239:Paclitaxel / Q000008:administration & dosage; D011879:Radiotherapy Dosage
chemical_list: D017239:Paclitaxel; D002945:Cisplatin