Efficacy of Multimodality Approach in Patients With Recurrent Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma

Background/aim: Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) is characterized by high relapse rates and low survival in comparison to other malignancies.

Patients and methods: Fifty-two patients suffering from recurrent HNSCC were compared, analyzing the impact of different regimes, including surgery, radiotherapy (RT), chemotherapy and immunotherapy on progression-free survival (PFS), overall survival (OS), locoregional control (LRC), and adverse events.

Results: The standard RT technique was intensity-modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) in all patients. In the multivariate analysis, higher cumulative RT dose significantly influenced LRC whereas surgery and age significantly impacted PFS and OS.

Conclusion: IMRT dose-escalation, as well as surgery, appear beneficial in the treatment of recurrent HNSCC. Moreover, nivolumab and platin-based therapy might be superior agents for systemic therapy in comparison to cetuximab.