Fast neutron therapy for squamous cell carcinoma in the head and neck region: results of a randomized trial
A randomized trial of fast neuron therapy compared with 4MV photons for patients with head and neck cancer is reported. One hundred and sixty-eight patients were recruited between 1977 and 1984. The minimum follow-up is 2 years. Three patients were withdrawn before treatment began. Eighty-five were allocated to neutron therapy and 80 to receive photon therapy. All patients had squamous cell cancers in one of four primary sites: oral cavity, oropharynx, larynx, and hypopharynx. Local tumor control was similar in both groups: 44.7% after neutrons and 45.0% after photons. Salvage surgery was performed on 18 patients in each treatment group for residual or recurrent cancer. Acute radiation reactions of the mucous membranes were significantly more severe after photons. The number of patients with serious late reactions was greater after neutron therapy but the difference was not statistically significant. There were six deaths related to late morbidity after neutron therapy but none after photon therapy. Survival was better after photon therapy but the difference compared with the neutron group failed to reach statistical significance. When intercurrent deaths are excluded, the difference is less marked. Photon therapy was clearly better in terms of disease-free survival giving a 2-year local disease-free rate of 41.3% (s.e. 5.5%) compared with 29.4% (s.e. 4.9%) after neutrons.
- Research Organization:
- Western General Hospital, Edinburgh, England
- OSTI ID:
- 6860448
- Journal Information:
- Int. J. Radiat. Oncol., Biol. Phys.; (United States), Vol. 2
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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63 RADIATION, THERMAL, AND OTHER ENVIRON. POLLUTANT EFFECTS ON LIVING ORGS. AND BIOL. MAT.
CARCINOMAS
RADIOTHERAPY
HEAD
MUCOUS MEMBRANES
BIOLOGICAL RADIATION EFFECTS
NECK
COMPARATIVE EVALUATIONS
DELAYED RADIATION EFFECTS
FAST NEUTRONS
NEUTRONS
PATIENTS
PHOTONS
SURGERY
SURVIVAL TIME
BARYONS
BIOLOGICAL EFFECTS
BODY
BODY AREAS
DISEASES
ELEMENTARY PARTICLES
FERMIONS
HADRONS
MASSLESS PARTICLES
MEDICINE
MEMBRANES
NEOPLASMS
NUCLEAR MEDICINE
NUCLEONS
RADIATION EFFECTS
RADIOLOGY
THERAPY
550603* - Medicine- External Radiation in Therapy- (1980-)
560151 - Radiation Effects on Animals- Man