Premium
Reirradiation of head and neck cancer: Long‐term disease control and toxicity
Author(s) -
Bots Wouter T. C.,
Bosch Sven,
Zwijnenburg Ellen M.,
Dijkema Tim,
Broek Guido B.,
Weijs Willem L. J.,
Verhoef Lia C. G.,
Kaanders Johannes H. A. M.
Publication year - 2017
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.24733
Subject(s) - head and neck cancer , medicine , toxicity , term (time) , head and neck , disease , cancer , oncology , surgery , physics , quantum mechanics
Background The purpose of this study was to report long‐term disease control and late radiation toxicity for patients reirradiated for head and neck cancer. Methods We conducted a retrospective analysis of 137 patients reirradiated with a prescribed dose ≥45 Gy between 1986 and 2013 for a recurrent or second primary malignancy. Endpoints were locoregional control, overall survival (OS), and grade ≥4 late complications according to European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer (EORTC)/Radiation Therapy Oncology Group (RTOG) criteria. Results Five‐year locoregional control rates were 46% for patients reirradiated postoperatively versus 20% for patients who underwent reirradiation as the primary treatment ( p < .05). Sixteen cases of serious (grade ≥4) late toxicity were seen in 11 patients (actuarial 28% at 5 years). In patients reirradiated with intensity‐modulated radiotherapy (IMRT), a borderline improved locoregional control was observed (49% vs 36%; p = .07), whereas late complication rates did not differ. Conclusion Reirradiation should be considered for patients with a recurrent or second primary head and neck cancer, especially postoperatively, if indicated. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Head Neck 39: 1122–1130, 2017