Intensity‐modulated radiotherapy in the treatment of locoregionally advanced head and neck cancer: implementation and outcomes in a New Zealand community hospital

INTRODUCTION: Intensity‐modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) has become the standard of care for squamous cell cancer of the head and neck (HNSCC). This report presents early outcomes of IMRT with concomitant chemotherapy in a community setting in New Zealand. METHODS: Forty‐eight patients with stage III and IV advanced HNSCC received definitive treatment with IMRT. A dose of 66 Gy in 30 fractions was delivered over 6 weeks with 3‐weekly concurrent cisplatin after a single induction cycle of cisplatin and 5‐fluorouracil. Acute toxicity, locoregional control (LRC), disease‐free survival and overall survival (OS) outcomes were analysed. RESULTS: Follow‐up ranged from 2 to 82 months (median 34 months). Acute grade 2 toxicity was observed in 27 patients and grade 3 toxicity in 19 patients. No patients experienced grade 4 toxicity and there were no treatment‐related deaths. Locoregional failures occurred in six patients and distant metastatic disease occurred in five patients. Actuarial estimates of 3‐year LRC, disease‐free survival and OS were 87.3%, 74.4% and 73.7% respectively. CONCLUSION: Definitive treatment of stage III and IV cancer of the head and neck with IMRT and concurrent chemotherapy was achievable in the community setting. Acute toxicities were manageable and 3‐year outcomes were comparable to other published series.