Predictors of mucositis in oropharyngeal and oral cavity cancer in patients treated with volumetric modulated radiation treatment: A dose-volume analysis.
The purpose of this study was to assess predictors of mucositis in oropharyngeal and oral cavity cancer after definitive or adjuvant volumetric modulated arc radiotherapy (VMAT) +/- chemotherapy.



Fifty patients were evaluated. Statistical analysis was performed for the following parameters as potential predictors of mucositis ≥ G2: total oral mucosa and oral mucosa minus target high-low radiation dose regions (planning target volumes [PTVs]), mean dose (Dmean ), maximum dose (Dmax ), chemotherapy, weight loss, and dysphagia.



Mucositis ≥ G2 was found to be statistically related to chemotherapy, weight loss, dysphagia ≥ G2, total oral mucosa Dmean ≥50 Gy and Dmax ≥65 Gy, V45 Gy >40%, V50 Gy >30%, and V55 Gy >20% of the oral mucosa minus target PTVs. A ratio between total oral mucosa and oral mucosa minus target PTVs >2.5 is related to G3 mucositis (p = .03).



New parameters were found as predictors of moderate-severe mucositis. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Head Neck 38: E815-E819, 2016.
Department of Radiation Oncology, Sacro Cuore Don Calabria Hospital, Negrar-Verona, Italy.|Department of Radiation Oncology School, University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy.
Rosario
R
Mazzola
Department of Radiation Oncology, Sacro Cuore Don Calabria Hospital, Negrar-Verona, Italy.
Francesco
F
Ricchetti
Department of Radiation Oncology, Sacro Cuore Don Calabria Hospital, Negrar-Verona, Italy.
Sergio
S
Fersino
Department of Radiation Oncology, Sacro Cuore Don Calabria Hospital, Negrar-Verona, Italy.
Alba
A
Fiorentino
Department of Radiation Oncology, Sacro Cuore Don Calabria Hospital, Negrar-Verona, Italy.
Niccolò
N
Giaj Levra
Statistic Sciences Faculty, University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy.
Gioacchino
G
Di Paola
Department of Radiation Oncology, Sacro Cuore Don Calabria Hospital, Negrar-Verona, Italy.
Ruggero
R
Ruggieri
Department of Radiation Oncology, Sacro Cuore Don Calabria Hospital, Negrar-Verona, Italy.
Filippo
F
Alongi
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009062:Mouth Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology* / Q000532:radiotherapy; D052016:Mucositis / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000473:pathology; D009959:Oropharyngeal Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology* / Q000532:radiotherapy; D011880:Radiotherapy Planning, Computer-Assisted; D050397:Radiotherapy, Intensity-Modulated
head neck cancer; mucositis; organ sparing; volumetric modulated arc radiotherapy (VMAT)