title: Postoperative photodynamic therapy as a new adjuvant treatment after robot-assisted salvage surgery of recurrent squamous cell carcinoma of the base of tongue.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  For patients who remain with involved resection margins after transoral robot-assisted salvage surgery (TORS) for recurrent squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) at the base of tongue (BOT) following primary (chemo)radiotherapy, further adjuvant treatment options are very limited. We want to report on our preliminary experience with a new adjuvant strategy using postoperative temoporfin-mediated photodynamic therapy for this indication.
  
  
  METHODS
  Two patients with recurrent SCC after primary (chemo)radiotherapy of the BOT were treated with TORS, but unfortunately remained with involved resection margins on the postoperative pathology report. If left without additional treatment, these patients are prone to further recurrence. Temoporfin-mediated photodynamic therapy was used as a new adjuvant approach to treat the remaining microscopic disease at the resection margins.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Good oncological and functional results were obtained in these patients, now treated for a recurrence, after a preceding full course of radiotherapy. Both are disease free at 42 and 24 months of follow-up and are able to speak, breathe, and eat normally.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  In selected patients that have undergone salvage surgery with positive resection margins, postoperative temoporfin-mediated photodynamic therapy can result in a good oncological and functional outcome.
authors.affiliation: Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery University Hospitals Leuven, Herestraat 49, 3000, Leuven, Belgium. vincent.vanderpoorten@uzleuven.be.|Leuven Cancer Institute, University Hospitals Leuven, Leuven, Belgium. vincent.vanderpoorten@uzleuven.be.|Department of Oncology, Section Head and Neck Oncology, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium. vincent.vanderpoorten@uzleuven.be.
authors.forename: Vincent
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Vander Poorten
authors.affiliation: Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery University Hospitals Leuven, Herestraat 49, 3000, Leuven, Belgium.|Department of Oncology, Section Head and Neck Oncology, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium.
authors.forename: Jeroen
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Meulemans
authors.affiliation: Leuven Cancer Institute, University Hospitals Leuven, Leuven, Belgium.|Radiation Oncology, University Hospitals Leuven, Leuven, Belgium.|Department of Oncology, Section Radiation Oncology, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium.
authors.forename: Sandra
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Nuyts
authors.affiliation: Leuven Cancer Institute, University Hospitals Leuven, Leuven, Belgium.|Department of Oncology, Section Head and Neck Oncology, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium.|Medical Oncology, University Hospitals Leuven, Leuven, Belgium.
authors.forename: Paul
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Clement
authors.affiliation: Leuven Cancer Institute, University Hospitals Leuven, Leuven, Belgium.|Radiology, University Hospitals Leuven, Leuven, Belgium.
authors.forename: Robert
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Hermans
authors.affiliation: Leuven Cancer Institute, University Hospitals Leuven, Leuven, Belgium.|Pathology, University Hospitals Leuven, Leuven, Belgium.
authors.forename: Esther
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Hauben
authors.affiliation: Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery University Hospitals Leuven, Herestraat 49, 3000, Leuven, Belgium.|Leuven Cancer Institute, University Hospitals Leuven, Leuven, Belgium.
authors.forename: Pierre
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Delaere
mesh_terms: D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D017024:Chemotherapy, Adjuvant; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009364:Neoplasm Recurrence, Local / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D010778:Photochemotherapy; D011184:Postoperative Period; D011379:Prognosis; D012371:Robotics; D016879:Salvage Therapy; D014062:Tongue Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery