Chemoradiation for advanced hypopharyngeal carcinoma: a retrospective study on efficacy, morbidity and quality of life

Eur Arch Otorhinolaryngol. 2012 Mar;269(3):939-46. doi: 10.1007/s00405-011-1694-8. Epub 2011 Jul 8.

Abstract

Chemoradiation (CRT) is a valuable treatment option for advanced hypopharyngeal squamous cell cancer (HSCC). However, long-term toxicity and quality of life (QOL) is scarcely reported. Therefore, efficacy, acute and long-term toxic effects, and long-term QOL of CRT for advanced HSCC were evaluated,using retrospective study and post-treatment quality of life questionnaires. in a tertiary hospital setting. Analysis was performed of 73 patients that had been treated with CRT. Toxicity was rated using the CTCAE score list. QOL questionnaires EORTC QLQ-C30, QLQ-H&N35, and VHI were analyzed. The most common acute toxic effects were dysphagia and mucositis. Dysphagia and xerostomia remained problematic during long-term follow-up. After 3 years, the disease-specific survival was 41%, local disease control was 71%, and regional disease control was 97%. The results indicated that CRT for advanced HSCC is associated with high locoregional control and disease-specific survival. However, significant acute and long-term toxic effects occur, and organ preservation appears not necessarily equivalent to preservation of function and better QOL.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Chemoradiotherapy / methods*
  • Disease-Free Survival
  • Female
  • Follow-Up Studies
  • Humans
  • Hypopharyngeal Neoplasms / epidemiology
  • Hypopharyngeal Neoplasms / psychology
  • Hypopharyngeal Neoplasms / therapy*
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Morbidity / trends
  • Netherlands / epidemiology
  • Quality of Life*
  • Retrospective Studies
  • Surveys and Questionnaires
  • Survival Rate / trends
  • Treatment Outcome