Survival and treatment outcome of head and neck cancer patients with pulmonary oligometastases. (28th November 2020) - Lardinois, Ines
Abstract: Objectives: The purpose of this study was to determine the outcome of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) patients developing lung metastasis. Design: Retrospective study. Participants: HNSCC patients with lung metastasis treated between 2001 and 2018 were included. Mean outcomes measures: Statistical analyses described the relationship between patient survival, treatment efficacy and pulmonary metastasis occurrence. Results: One hundred HNSCC patients were included in the study. The median overall survival (OS) was 21 months. The median recurrence‐free survival (RFS) was seven months. Patient survival with only lung metastases was significantly longer compared to patients with lung metastases and lymph nodes involvement or other metastases. Moreover, patients with a single metastasis had longer post‐RFS and OS than patients with multiple metastases. The local control of metastasis was better when patients presented only lung metastases, and it was more effective in single metastasis. The surgery allowed better metastases local control than supportive care or radio and/or chemotherapy. In case of specific therapy, pulmonary resection was associated with a longer post‐RFS and a longer OS compared to supportive care or radio and/or chemotherapy. Conclusions: We confirmed, in the current study, the significant survival benefit for HNSCC patients treated by surgery for their pulmonary metastasis. While treatment of multiple metastases required palliative chemotherapy or best supportive care in most of the cases, specific surgical treatment in selected HNSCC patients should be considered.