The Pattern of Failure After Reirradiation of Recurrent Squamous Cell Head and Neck Cancer: Implications for Defining the Targets

Journal Article · Sat Aug 01 04:00:00 EDT 2009 · International Journal of Radiation Oncology, Biology and Physics

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijrobp.2008.10.042· OSTI ID:21276928

Popovtzer, Aron; Gluck, Iris ^[1]; Chepeha, Douglas B; Teknos, Theodoros N; Moyer, Jeffrey S; Prince, Mark E; Bradford, Carol R ^[2]; Eisbruch, Avraham ^[1]

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1. Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI (United States)
2. Department of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI (United States)

Purpose: Reirradiation (re-RT) of recurrent head and neck cancer (HNC) may achieve long-term disease control in some patients, at the expense of high rates of late sequelae. Limiting the re-RT targets to the recurrent gross tumor volume (rGTV) would reduce the volumes of reirradiated tissues; however, its effect on tumor recurrence pattern is unknown. Methods and Materials: This is a retrospective review of 66 patients who underwent curative-intent re-RT for nonresectable recurrent or second primary mucosal squamous cell HNC. Treatment was delivered with three-dimensional conformal (3D) RT or intensity-modulated RT (IMRT). The targets in all patients consisted of the rGTVs with tight (0.5-cm) margins, with no intent to treat prophylactically lymph nodes or subclinical disease in the vicinity of the rGTVs. The sites of locoregional failures (LRFs) were determined using imaging at the time of failure and were compared with the rGTVs. Results: Median re-RT dose was 68 Gy. Forty-seven patients (71%) received concomitant chemotherapy, and 31 (47%) received hyperfractionated, accelerated RT. At a median follow-up of 42 months, 16 (23%) were alive and disease-free. Fifty patients (77%) had a third recurrence or persistent disease, including 47 LRFs. All LRFs occurred within the rGTVs except for two (4%) (95% confidence interval, 0-11%). Nineteen patients (29%) had Grade {>=} 3 late complications, mostly dysphagia (12 patients). Conclusions: Almost all LRFs occurred within the reirradiated rGTVs despite avoiding prophylactic RT of tissue at risk of subclinical disease. These results support confining the re-RT targets to the rGTVs to reduce reirradiated tissue volumes.

• OSTI ID: 21276928
• Journal Information: International Journal of Radiation Oncology, Biology and Physics, Journal Name: International Journal of Radiation Oncology, Biology and Physics Journal Issue: 5 Vol. 74; ISSN IOBPD3; ISSN 0360-3016
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

62 RADIOLOGY AND NUCLEAR MEDICINE
CHEMOTHERAPY
FAILURES
HAZARDS
HEAD
LYMPH NODES
NECK
NEOPLASMS
PATIENTS
RADIATION DOSES
RADIOTHERAPY