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Accelerated radiotherapy with concomitant boost technique (69.5 Gy/5 weeks)

An alternative in the treatment of locally advanced head and neck cancer

Akzelerierte Strahlentherapie in Concomitant-Boost-Technik (69,5 Gy/5 Wochen) als Therapiealternative für lokal fortgeschrittene Kopf-Hals-Tumoren

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Background and Purpose

To present the feasibility and results of accelerated radiotherapy with concomitant boost technique (69.5 Gy/5 weeks) in the treatment of locally advanced head and neck cancer.

Patients and Methods

A total of 65 patients were treated between June 2006 and August 2009. The distribution of clinical stages was as follows: II 11%, III 23%, IV 61%, and not defined 5%.

Results

The median follow-up was 30.5 months. The treatment plan was completed in 94% of patients. Patients were treated using the conformal or intensity-modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) technique. The median overall treatment time was 37 days (13–45 days). The mean radiotherapy dose was 68.4 Gy (16–74 Gy). Overall survival was 69% after 2 years. Disease-free survival was 62% after 2 years. Acute toxicity ≥ grade 3(RTOG scale) included mucositis (grade 3: 42.6%), pharynx (grade 3: 42.3%), skin (grade 3: 9.5%), larynx (grade 3: 4%), while late toxicity affected skin (grade 3: 6.25%) and salivary glands (grade 3: 3.7%).

Conclusion

Accelerated radiotherapy with concomitant boost technique is feasible in patients with locally advanced head and neck cancer, has an acceptable toxicity profile, and yields promising treatment results.

Hintergrund und Ziel

Präsentation von Durchführbarkeit und Ergebnissen der Strahlentherapie mit Concomitant-Boost-Technik (69,5 Gy/5 Wochen) bei der Behandlung von lokal fortgeschrittenen Kopf-Hals-Tumoren.

Patienten und Methodik

Im Zeitraum 6/06 bis 8/09 wurden 65 Patienten behandelt. Stadienverteilung: II in 11%, III in 23%, IV in 61% und undefinierbar in 5% der Fälle.

Ergebnisse

Mediane Beoachtungszeit: 30,5 Monate. Die geplante Therapie ließ sich bei 94% der Patienten durchführen. Die Patienten wurden mit 3D-konformaler oder IMRT-Technik bestrahlt. Der Median der Bestrahlungsdauer betrug 37 Tage (13–45 Tage). Die applizierte durchschnittliche Dosis betrug 68,4 Gy (16–74 Gy). Das gesamte 2-Jahres-Überleben betrug 69%, Das krankheitsfreie 2-Jahres-Überleben 62%. Akuttoxizitäten von mindestens Grad 3 (RTOG Skala) betrafen Mukositis (Grad 3: 42%), Pharynx (Grad 3: 42,3%) Haut (Grad 3: 9,5%) und Kehlkopf (Grad 3: 4%). Die Spättoxizitäten betrafen Haut (Grad 3: 9,5%) und Speicheldrüsen (Grad 3: 3,7%).

Schlussfolgerung

Die akzelerierte Strahlentherapie mit der Concomitant-Boost-Technik ist bei Patienten mit Kopf- und Halstumoren durchführbar. Diese Technik hat ein akzeptables Toxizitätsprofil und gute Heilungsergebnisse.

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Correspondence to Jiri Kubes MD, PhD.

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Kubes, J., Cvek, J., Vondracek, V. et al. Accelerated radiotherapy with concomitant boost technique (69.5 Gy/5 weeks). Strahlenther Onkol 187, 651–655 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00066-011-2246-2

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00066-011-2246-2

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