title: What is the role of postoperative re-irradiation in recurrent and second primary squamous cell cancer of head and neck? A literature review according to PICO criteria.
abstract: Re-irradiation has been increasingly offered as a potential effective treatment for head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) loco-regional recurrence as well as second primary tumor in previously irradiated area. This review focused on the role of postoperative re-irradiation (POreRT) in terms of feasibility, toxicity and long-term outcomes in HNSCC patients. The key issue for the research was formulated in two questions according to the PICO (population, intervention, control, and outcomes) criteria. A total of 16 publications met the inclusion criteria for a total of 919 patients; in 522 patients POreRT was performed. POreRT in recurrent and second primary HNSCC seems to be feasible in highly selected patients with the intent to guarantee an acceptable LC compared to surgery alone. The optimal RT schedule remains unclear due to the heterogeneity of literature data.
authors.affiliation: Radiation Oncology, A.S.O. S.Croce e Carle, Cuneo, Italy.
authors.forename: Anna
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Merlotti
authors.affiliation: Radiation Oncology, Sacro Cuore-Don Calabria Cancer Care Center, Negrar-Verona, Italy.
authors.forename: Rosario
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Mazzola
authors.affiliation: Radiation Oncology, Advanced Radiotherapy Center, European Institute of Oncology, Milan, Italy.
authors.forename: Daniela
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Alterio
authors.affiliation: Radiation Oncology, Sacro Cuore-Don Calabria Cancer Care Center, Negrar-Verona, Italy. Electronic address: dott.filippoalongi@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Filippo
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Alongi
authors.affiliation: Radiation Oncology, AOU IRCCS San Martino - IST National Cancer Research Institute and University, Genoa, Italy.
authors.forename: Almalina
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Bacigalupo
authors.affiliation: Radiation Oncology, Department of Experimental and Clinical Biomedical Sciences, University of Florence, Florence, Italy.
authors.forename: Pierluigi
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Bonomo
authors.affiliation: Radiation Oncology, Brescia University, Brescia, Italy.
authors.forename: Marta
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Maddalo
authors.affiliation: Radiation Oncology, A.S.O. S.Croce e Carle, Cuneo, Italy.
authors.forename: Elvio Grazioso
authors.initials: EG
authors.lastname: Russi
authors.affiliation: Radiotherapy 2 Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Milan, Italy.
authors.forename: Ester
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Orlandi
mesh_terms: D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000532:radiotherapy* / Q000601:surgery; D006258:Head and Neck Neoplasms / Q000532:radiotherapy* / Q000601:surgery; D006801:Humans; D009364:Neoplasm Recurrence, Local / Q000532:radiotherapy*; D016609:Neoplasms, Second Primary / Q000532:radiotherapy*; D016032:Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; D000069475:Re-Irradiation; D000077195:Squamous Cell Carcinoma of Head and Neck; D016896:Treatment Outcome
keywords: Head and neck squamous cell cancer; Radiotherapy; Re-irradiation; Recurrence; Retreatment; Squamous cell carcinoma