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Impact of average weekly dose of radiation during radiotherapy alone or chemoradiotherapy in head and neck cancer
Author(s) -
Dragovic Aleksandar F.,
Bonner James A.,
Spencer Sharon A.,
Nabell Lisle M.,
Carroll William R.,
Caudell Jimmy J.
Publication year - 2011
Publication title -
head and neck
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.012
H-Index - 127
eISSN - 1097-0347
pISSN - 1043-3074
DOI - 10.1002/hed.21634
Subject(s) - medicine , head and neck cancer , chemoradiotherapy , radiation therapy , dysphagia , nuclear medicine , head and neck , dose fractionation , oncology , radiology , surgery
Background Altered fractionated radiotherapy (RT) has been shown to improve locoregional control (LRC) and overall survival (OS) in squamous cell cancer of the head and neck (SCCHN). We investigated patient outcomes using a new parameter: the average weekly dose (AWD). Methods The medical records of 601 patients who received definitive RT for SCCHN were reviewed. AWD was calculated by dividing the total dose in Gray (Gy) by overall treatment time in weeks, and assessed for predictive value. Results Various standard RT fractionation schedules were used. An AWD >10.0 Gy was associated with improved LRC at 2 years for patients treated with RT alone (80.9% vs 60.9%; p = .006), but not for those treated with concurrent chemoradiation (75.3% vs 77.3%; p = .77). Nonsignificant increases in late dysphagia were seen with AWD >10.0 Gy. Conclusion An AWD of >10 Gy was found to be beneficial for RT alone regimens but not chemoradiotherapy regimens. Head Neck, 2011