The feasibility of high-dose multiple daily fraction and its combination with anoxic cell sensitizers in the treatment of head and neck cancer: a pilot study of the radiotherapy group of the EORTC (European Organisation for Research on Treatment of Cancer)

Journal Article · Fri Oct 01 00:00:00 EDT 1982 · Int. J. Radiat. Oncol., Biol. Phys.; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1016/0360-3016(82)90282-6· OSTI ID:5403666

van den Bogaert, W ^[1]; van der Schueren, E; Horiot, J C; Chaplain, G; Arcangeli, G; Gonzalez, D; Svoboda, V

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1. Univ. Hospital, Leuven, Belgium

From 1978 to the end of 1980, 179 patients with advanced head and neck tumors were accrued in a multicenter pilot study of the EORTC Radiotherapy Group, investigating the feasibility of high dose multiple daily fractionation (MDF) and its combination with misonidazole. The irradiation scheme consisted of three daily fractions of 1.6 Gy (four hour intervals) to a total dose of 48 Gy in two weeks, followed 3 to 4 weeks later by a boost to a total of about 70 Gy in 6 to 7 weeks. Misonidazole was given in daily doses of 1 g/m/sup 2/ (total 13 or 14 g/m/sup 2/) to 53 patients, thus sensitizing every radiation session. All patients had large head and neck tumors, with a poor prognosis. Acute reactions were well tolerated. Skin reactions were very moderate: mucosal reaction started at day 10 to 12. Tumor regression was very impressive, so that palliation was obtained quickly. Nine patients died from treatment related causes. It is difficult to assess local control at this time, but at the time of analysis (August 1981), the actuarial control rate was 48% at 20 months, with misonidazole 57%. This difference, however, is not statistically significant. Survival of the total group is 31% at 20 months. In these patients with a heavy tumor burden the early results were considered a success by all participants. For patients with sufficient follow-up, late reactions can be evaluated. Some edema and fibrosis is seen, but did not exceed a degree which could be expected with single daily fractionation to the same dose. This study demonstrates the possibility of giving highly concentrated treatments to total doses equal to those used in conventional fractionation.

• OSTI ID: 5403666
• Journal Information: Int. J. Radiat. Oncol., Biol. Phys.; (United States), Vol. 8:10
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

63 RADIATION, THERMAL, AND OTHER ENVIRON. POLLUTANT EFFECTS ON LIVING ORGS. AND BIOL. MAT.
62 RADIOLOGY AND NUCLEAR MEDICINE
EDEMA
RADIOINDUCTION
FIBROSIS
MISONIDAZOLE
RADIOSENSITIVITY EFFECTS
MUCOUS MEMBRANES
BIOLOGICAL RADIATION EFFECTS
RADIOTHERAPY
SIDE EFFECTS
FRACTIONATED IRRADIATION
HEAD
NECK
NEOPLASMS
PATIENTS
ANTINEOPLASTIC DRUGS
AZOLES
BIOLOGICAL EFFECTS
BODY
BODY AREAS
DISEASES
DRUGS
HETEROCYCLIC COMPOUNDS
IMIDAZOLES
IRRADIATION
MEDICINE
MEMBRANES
NUCLEAR MEDICINE
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
ORGANIC NITROGEN COMPOUNDS
PATHOLOGICAL CHANGES
RADIATION EFFECTS
RADIOLOGY
RADIOSENSITIZERS
SYMPTOMS
THERAPY
560151* - Radiation Effects on Animals- Man
550603 - Medicine- External Radiation in Therapy- (1980-)