Boron Neutron Capture Therapy in the Treatment of Recurrent Laryngeal Cancer

Journal Article · Sun May 01 04:00:00 EDT 2016 · International Journal of Radiation Oncology, Biology and Physics

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1016/J.IJROBP.2015.11.010· OSTI ID:22648654

Haapaniemi, Aaro ^[1]; Kankaanranta, Leena ^[2]; Saat, Riste ^[3]; Koivunoro, Hanna; Saarilahti, Kauko ^[2]; Mäkitie, Antti; Atula, Timo ^[1]; Joensuu, Heikki ^[2]

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1. Department of Otorhinolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery, Helsinki University Hospital and University of Helsinki, Helsinki (Finland)
2. Department of Oncology, Helsinki University Hospital and University of Helsinki, Helsinki (Finland)
3. Department of Radiology, Helsinki University Hospital and University of Helsinki, Helsinki (Finland)

Purpose: To investigate the safety and efficacy of boron neutron capture therapy (BNCT) as a larynx-preserving treatment option for patients with recurrent laryngeal cancer. Methods and Materials: Six patients with locally recurrent squamous cell laryngeal carcinoma and 3 patients with persistent laryngeal cancer after prior treatment were treated with BNCT at the FiR1 facility (Espoo, Finland) in 2006 to 2012. The patients had received prior radiation therapy with or without concomitant chemotherapy to a cumulative median dose of 66 Gy. The median tumor diameter was 2.9 cm (range, 1.4-10.9 cm) before BNCT. Boron neutron capture therapy was offered on a compassionate basis to patients who either refused laryngectomy (n=7) or had an inoperable tumor (n=2). Boronophenylalanine-fructose (400 mg/kg) was used as the boron carrier and was infused over 2 hours intravenously before neutron irradiation. Results: Six patients received BNCT once and 3 twice. The estimated average gross tumor volume dose ranged from 22 to 38 Gy (W) (mean; 29 Gy [W]). Six of the 8 evaluable patients responded to BNCT; 2 achieved complete and 4 partial response. One patient died early and was not evaluable for response. Most common side effects were stomatitis, fatigue, and oral pain. No life-threatening or grade 4 toxicity was observed. The median time to progression within the target volume was 6.6 months, and the median overall survival time 13.3 months after BNCT. One patient with complete response is alive and disease-free with a functioning larynx 60 months after BNCT. Conclusions: Boron neutron capture therapy given after prior external beam radiation therapy is well tolerated. Most patients responded to BNCT, but long-term survival with larynx preservation was infrequent owing to cancer progression. Selected patients with recurrent laryngeal cancer may benefit from BNCT.

• OSTI ID: 22648654
• Journal Information: International Journal of Radiation Oncology, Biology and Physics, Journal Name: International Journal of Radiation Oncology, Biology and Physics Journal Issue: 1 Vol. 95; ISSN IOBPD3; ISSN 0360-3016
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

62 RADIOLOGY AND NUCLEAR MEDICINE
BORON
CHEMOTHERAPY
EXTERNAL BEAM RADIATION THERAPY
GY RANGE 10-100
NEOPLASMS
NEUTRON CAPTURE THERAPY
NEUTRON REACTIONS
PATIENTS
SIDE EFFECTS
SOLID WASTES
SURVIVAL TIME