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Treatment modalities and outcomes of Fanconi anemia patients with head and neck squamous cell carcinoma: Series of 9 cases and review of the literature
Author(s) -
Beckham Thomas H.,
Leeman Jonathan,
Jillian Tsai Chiaojung,
Riaz Nadeem,
Sherman Eric,
Singh Bhuvanesh,
Lee Nancy,
McBride Sean,
Higginson Daniel S.
Publication year - 2019
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.25577
Subject(s) - medicine , cetuximab , fanconi anemia , head and neck squamous cell carcinoma , head and neck cancer , anemia , adverse effect , oncology , adjuvant , radiation therapy , cancer , disease , surgery , colorectal cancer , dna repair , biochemistry , chemistry , gene
Background Fanconi anemia (FA) is associated with an increased risk of developing head and neck squamous cell cancer (HNSCC) and presents a treatment dilemma due to concerns of increased toxicities from chemotherapy and radiation therapy (RT). Methods We reviewed the literature on HNSCC in FA patients and report on our experience treating 9 FA patients with HNSCC. Results Surgery was generally well‐tolerated and surgery alone resulted in durable local control for 2 patients. Four patients received adjuvant RT that was tolerable in most cases, although 1 patient required a treatment break and early cessation of RT. Three of the irradiated patients received concurrent cetuximab. Conclusions In patients with adverse features, adjuvant radiation with concurrent cetuximab may be feasible with careful monitoring, although local disease control is infrequent. Early detection via screening permitting a surgery‐alone approach represents the best opportunity for cure in FA patients with HSNCC.