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Stereotactic body radiotherapy as primary treatment for elderly and medically inoperable patients with head and neck cancer
Author(s) -
Gogineni Emile,
Rana Zaker,
Vempati Prashant,
Karten Jessie,
Sharma Anurag,
Taylor Peter,
Pereira Lucio,
Frank Douglas,
Paul Doru,
Seetharamu Nagashree,
Ghaly Maged
Publication year - 2020
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.26342
Subject(s) - medicine , head and neck cancer , radiation therapy , quality of life (healthcare) , toxicity , head and neck , radiosurgery , limiting , cancer , overall survival , radiology , surgery , mechanical engineering , nursing , engineering
Background Patients with head and neck cancer (HNC) who are not candidates for definitive treatment represent an increasing challenge, with limited data to guide management. Conventional local therapies such as surgery and chemoradiation can significantly impact quality of life (QoL). There has been limited data published using stereotactic body radiotherapy (SBRT) as primary treatment in previously unirradiated patients. We hypothesize that SBRT provides high rates of control while limiting toxicity. Methods A total of 66 medically unfit previously unirradiated patients with HNC were treated with SBRT, consisting of 35‐40 Gy to gross tumor volume and 30 Gy to clinical target volume in five fractions. Results Median age was 80 years. Local control (LC) and overall survival (OS) at 1 year were 73% and 64%. Two patients experienced grade 3 toxicity. Conclusion SBRT shows acceptable outcomes with relatively low toxicity in previously unirradiated patients with HNC who are medically unfit for conventional treatment. SBRT may provide an aggressive local therapy with high rates of LC and OS while maintaining QoL.