Intensity‐modulated radiation therapy as primary treatment for oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma. Issue 12 (6th March 2013)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: May, James T.; Rao, Nikhil; Sabater, Roberto D.; Boutrid, Hinda; Caudell, Jimmy J.; Merchant, Faisal; Han, Gang; Padhya, Tapan A.; McCaffrey, Judith C.; Tanvetyanon, Tawee; Deconti, Ronald; Kish, Julie; McCaffrey, Thomas V.; Trotti, Andy
• Is Part Of: Head & neck. Volume 35:Issue 12(2013:Dec.)
• Page Start: 1796
• Page End: 1800
• Publication Date: 2013-03-06
• Subjects: Head -- Diseases -- Periodicals; Neck -- Diseases -- Periodicals; Head -- Periodicals; Neck -- Periodicals; Face -- Periodicals; 617.51059
• DOI: 10.1002/hed.23245
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1043-3074

Abstract

<abstract abstract-type="main"> <title> <x xml:space="preserve">Abstract</x> </title> <sec id="hed23245-sec-0001" sec-type="section"> <title>Background</title> <p>Over the past decade, intensity‐modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) has gained widespread use in the treatment of head and neck cancer.</p> </sec> <sec id="hed23245-sec-0002" sec-type="section"> <title>Methods</title> <p>All patients with squamous cell carcinoma of the oropharynx treated with primary IMRT with or without chemotherapy over a 5‐year period were reviewed. Outcomes and morbidity were analyzed and compared with previously published data.</p> </sec> <sec id="hed23245-sec-0003" sec-type="section"> <title>Results</title> <p>In all, 170 patients were included in the analysis. The 3‐year local control, locoregional control, disease‐free survival, and overall survival rates were 92%, 91%, 80%, and 87%, respectively. Feeding tubes were present in 55% of patients during treatment, but remained in only 1% 2 years following treatment.</p> </sec> <sec id="hed23245-sec-0004" sec-type="section"> <title>Conclusions</title> <p>This study confirms that IMRT yields excellent treatment outcomes for oropharyngeal carcinoma. Although acute toxicity remains a problem, late toxicity rates are low and long‐term feeding tube dependence is rare compared with conventional radiation therapy. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. <italic>Head Neck</italic> 35: 1796–1800, 2013</p> </sec> </abstract>