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Comparison of limited‐volume perioperative high‐dose‐rate brachytherapy and wide‐field external irradiation in resected head and neck cancer
Author(s) -
Gaztañaga Miren,
Pagola María,
Cambeiro Mauricio,
Ruiz Maria E. Rodriguez,
Aristu Javier,
Montesdeoca Néstor,
Alcalde Juan,
MartínezMonge Rafael
Publication year - 2012
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.21874
Subject(s) - brachytherapy , medicine , head and neck cancer , head and neck , dose rate , perioperative , nuclear medicine , cancer , irradiation , radiation therapy , radiology , surgery , medical physics , physics , nuclear physics
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. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Head Neck, 2012