Comparison of Conventional Radiotherapy with Accelerated Fractionation Radiotherapy in Squamous Cell Head and Neck Cancers – A Prospective Study

Introduction: Head and neck carcinoma is the most commoncancer. Radiotherapy along with concurrent chemotherapyhas long been the standard nonsurgical therapy for locallyadvanced disease. State of the art regarding radiation dosefractionation has evolved from once daily treatment to hyperfractionation and accelerated fractionation. The aim of thestudy was to assess the treatment response by locoregionalcontrol and radiation toxicity resulting from conventional andaccelerated fractionation radiotherapy in squamous cell headand neck cancers.Material and methods: In both arms,25 patients wererecruited for the study .Six fractions per week of radiationwere given in Accelerated fractionation (arm A) and fivefractions in the conventional group (arm B).All patientsreceived a radiation dose of 66 Gy /200 cgy/#/in 33 fractions.No chemotherapy was administeredResults: During and immediately after the end of radiationtreatment, the patients were assessed for locoregional controland radiation toxicity .78% of the patients in acceleratedfractionation arm and 72% of the patients in conventional armshowed complete response .Radiation toxicities were slightlyhigher in accelerated fractionation compared to conventionalfractionation radiotherapyConclusion: Improved locoregional control was observed inthe accelerated arm .The radiation toxicities were higher inthe accelerated arm but they were acceptable and controllable.Overall accelerated fractionation is a better choice of radiationtreatment in squamous cell head and neck cancers.