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Good tolerance and long‐term complete remission after definitive intensity‐modulated radiotherapy for locally advanced head and neck cancer in a patient with human immunodeficiency virus infection: A case report and literature review
Author(s) -
Chen WanYu,
Kuo SungHsin,
Shen ChiaWei,
Huang BingShen,
Lan KengHsueh,
Liang HsiangKuang,
Wang ChunWei
Publication year - 2015
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.24058
Subject(s) - medicine , mucositis , radiation therapy , head and neck cancer , chemoradiotherapy , cancer , head and neck , oncology , human immunodeficiency virus (hiv) , surgery , immunology
Background The main concerns with radiation therapy for head and neck cancer in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)‐infected patients include limited tumor response and profound mucosal or skin toxicities under severe immunocompromised status. Methods In this study, we describe the clinicopathological features, chronological changes in HIV viral loads and CD4 counts, and treatment outcomes of definitive radiotherapy for locally advanced head and neck cancer in an HIV‐infected patient. Results Despite low CD4 counts (80 cells/µL), a combination of highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) and definitive concurrent chemoradiotherapy (70 Gy of simultaneously integrated boost intensity‐modulated radiotherapy (IMRT), fluorouracil, and leucovorin) was well‐tolerated. Grade 3 mucositis and dermatitis were resolved 2 weeks after treatment completion. The patient was alive and remained disease‐free 31 months after treatment. Conclusion For patients with HIV diagnosed with locally advanced head and neck cancer, good tolerance and outcome can be achieved with definitive radiotherapy while on HAART. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Head Neck 37: E186–E190, 2015