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Effectiveness and toxicity of hypofractionated high‐dose intensity‐modulated radiotherapy versus 2‐ and 3‐dimensional radiotherapy in incurable head and neck cancer
Author(s) -
Beek Kirsty M.,
Kaanders Johannes H. A. M.,
Janssens Geert O.,
Takes Robert P.,
Span Paul N.,
Verhoef Cornelia G.
Publication year - 2016
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.24203
Subject(s) - medicine , mucositis , radiation therapy , head and neck cancer , tolerability , toxicity , cancer , nuclear medicine , retrospective cohort study , head and neck , oncology , radiology , surgery , adverse effect
Background This retrospective study evaluates efficacy and tolerability of high‐dose hypofractionated radiotherapy (RT) in patients with head and neck cancer. Methods All patients with head and neck cancer treated between September 2003 and September 2013 with 12 × 4 Gy RT were included. Two and 3D‐RT or intensity‐modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) were used. Overall survival (OS), tumor response, and palliative effect were evaluated. Results Palliative effect occurred in 63% of 81 included patients, lasted a median of 4.6 months, and was correlated with tumor response ( p = .006). Median OS was 7.2 months. Confluent mucositis occurred more often in patients treated with 2D/3D‐RT than IMRT (26% vs 44%; p = .04) and lasted for a median of 2 weeks. Conclusion High‐dose hypofractionated RT resulted in meaningful palliation in 63%, lasting for almost 5 months. IMRT should be the technique of choice, as it results in less high‐grade toxicity. The 12 × 4 schedule should be opted for patients with reasonable functional capacities and a life expectancy of >6 months. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Head Neck 38 : E1264–E1270, 2016