Outcome after re-irradiation of head and neck cancer patients

Strahlenther Onkol. 2011 Jan;187(1):23-31. doi: 10.1007/s00066-010-2139-9. Epub 2010 Dec 22.

Abstract

Purpose: To retrospectively report the outcome of head and neck cancer patients following re-irradiation.

Patients and methods: A total of 51 patients with recurrent or second primary head and neck cancer received re-irradiation at Leuven University Hospital. Survival and locoregional control were calculated. Doses to organs at risk were retrieved from dose-volume histograms. Radiation-related toxicities were reported.

Results: The 2-year actuarial overall survival rate was 30%. On univariate analysis, surgery before re-irradiation and high radiation dose were associated with superior survival. Grade 3 acute and grade 3 or more late toxicity occurred in respectively 29.4% and 35.3% of the patients.

Conclusion: Re-irradiation in head and neck cancer patients is feasible with acceptable late toxicity, although the survival remains poor.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Brachytherapy
  • Chemotherapy, Adjuvant
  • Combined Modality Therapy
  • Female
  • Follow-Up Studies
  • Humans
  • Lymphatic Metastasis / pathology
  • Lymphatic Metastasis / radiotherapy
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Neoplasm Recurrence, Local / diagnostic imaging
  • Neoplasm Recurrence, Local / mortality
  • Neoplasm Recurrence, Local / pathology
  • Neoplasm Recurrence, Local / radiotherapy*
  • Neoplasm Staging
  • Neoplasms, Second Primary / diagnostic imaging
  • Neoplasms, Second Primary / mortality
  • Neoplasms, Second Primary / pathology
  • Neoplasms, Second Primary / radiotherapy*
  • Otorhinolaryngologic Neoplasms / diagnostic imaging
  • Otorhinolaryngologic Neoplasms / mortality
  • Otorhinolaryngologic Neoplasms / pathology
  • Otorhinolaryngologic Neoplasms / radiotherapy*
  • Radiation Injuries / etiology*
  • Radiotherapy Dosage
  • Radiotherapy Planning, Computer-Assisted
  • Radiotherapy, Conformal
  • Retreatment
  • Survival Rate
  • Tomography, X-Ray Computed
  • Tumor Burden