Accelerated Radiotherapy with Concurrent Chemotherapy in Locally Advanced Head and Neck Cancers: Evaluation of Response and Compliance

PURPOSE: Concurrent chemo-radiotherapy (CCRT) is the primary treatment modality for locally advanced head and neck squamous cell cancer patients (LAHNSCC). Intensity modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) with simultaneous integrated boost (SIB) and concurrent chemotherapy is not broadly implicated in our region mainly because of the lack of experience. This study aims at evaluating the response and compliance of this approach in our patients. METHODS: Forty patients with LAHNSCC were included and 50% received induction chemotherapy. All the patients were treated with IMRT-SIB radiotherapy for 70Gy over 33 daily fractions. Weekly cisplatin (40mg/m(2)) was administered during the radiation course. RESULTS: With median follow-up of 1.5 years, LC was achieved in 82.5% of cases and distant control rate was 90%. More than 5 interrupted radiation sessions and GTV volume > 50 cc significantly affected LRC (P= 0.02 and 0.001 respectively). Eighty percent of cases experienced grade 3 or 4 toxicities. Induction chemotherapy and PTV-70 volume >150 cc significantly affected the degree of toxicities (P=0.018 and 0.0001 respectively).The 2 years disease free survival (DFS) was 77%. ECOG PS, large GTV volume (> 50 cc) and RT interruption (>5 sessions) had negative impact on DFS (P= 0.041, 0.002 and 0.001 respectively). The 2 years overall survival (OS) was 87%. Radiation interruption (> 5 sessions) was the only factor which had significant detrimental effect on OS (P= 0.001). CONCLUSION: Induction chemotherapy seems to have a negative impact on patient’s compliance to CCRT. Bulky tumors and prolonged radiation interruptions were associated with significantly lower LRC, DFS and OS.