Radiation-free weekend rescued! Continuous accelerated irradiation of 7-days per week is equal to accelerated fractionation with concomitant boost of 7 fractions in 5-days per week: report on phase 3 clinical trial in head-and-neck cancer patients.

PURPOSE: To report long-term results of randomized trial comparing 2 accelerated fractionations of definitive radiation therapy assessing the need to irradiate during weekend in patients with head and neck squamous cell carcinoma. METHODS AND MATERIALS: A total of 345 patients with SCC of the oral cavity, larynx, and oro- or hypo-pharynx, stage T2-4N0-1M0, were randomized to receive continuous accelerated irradiation (CAIR: once per day, 7 days per week) or concomitant accelerated boost (CB: once per day, 3 days per week, and twice per day, 2 days per week). Total dose ranged from 66.6-72 Gy, dose per fraction was 1.8 Gy, number of fractions ranged from 37-40 fractions, and overall treatment time ranged from 37-40 days. RESULTS: No differences for all trial end-points were noted. At 5 and 10 years, the actuarial rates of local-regional control were 63% and 60% for CAIR vs 65% and 60% for CB, and the corresponding overall survival were 40% and 25% vs 44% and 25%, respectively. Confluent mucositis was the main acute toxicity, with an incidence of 89% in CAIR and 86% in CB patients. The 5-year rate of grade 3-4 late radiation morbidity was 6% for both regimens. CONCLUSIONS: Results of this trial indicate that the effects of accelerated fractionation can be achieve by delivering twice-per-day irradiation on weekday(s). This trial has also confirmed that an accelerated, 6-weeks schedule is a reasonable option for patients with intermediate-stage head-and-neck squamous cell carcinoma because of the associated high cure rate and minimal severe late toxicity.

Intraoperative radiotherapy (IORT) with low-energy photons as a boost in patients with early-stage oral cancer with the indications for postoperative radiotherapy : treatment feasibility and preliminary results.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the feasibility and preliminary results of intraoperative radiotherapy (IORT) with low-energy photons as a boost in patients with early-stage oral cancer with the indications for postoperative radiotherapy. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Between 2003 and 2006, 16 patients with early-stage cancer of mobile tongue (n = 10 [63%]) or floor of the mouth (n = 6 [37%]) treated at Maria Sklodowska-Curie Memorial Cancer Center and Institute of Oncology, Gliwice Branch, Poland, were evaluated for IORT boost with the INTRABEAM®System (Carl Zeiss Surgical GmbH; IORT-PRS) because of the high risk of local recurrence due to positive margins on frozen pathologic section. After tumor resection, the applicator was positioned in the tumor bed. The applicator's diameter (range: 1.5-5 cm) was selected to encompass high-risk area of tumor recurrence. The dose (5 Gy, 7 Gy, or 7.5 Gy) was applied according to tumor volume and bone proximity. External-beam radiotherapy (EBRT) was provided to the tumor bed in all patients (50 Gy) and to the nodal area, when needed. Toxicity and local tumor control were assessed. RESULTS: Median follow-up was 36 months. IORT did not increase acute mucosal reaction. Local tumor control was found in all cases. Early mucosal reaction did not exceed 3 according to the RTOG scale and healed in median time of 35 days after completion of EBRT. No late adverse effects were observed. CONCLUSION: This preliminary report has demonstrated the feasibility of IORT-PRS for patients with early oral cancer with the indications for postoperative radiotherapy. This method may be considered an alternative boost technique, although additional studies are needed to establish long-term results in a larger group of patients.

Pattern analysis of acute mucosal reactions in patients with head and neck cancer treated with conventional and accelerated irradiation.

PURPOSE: To evaluate severity of acute mucosal reactions (AMR) caused by conventional (CF) and accelerated fractionation (AF) regimens using a modified Dische system and to analyze differences in incidence and severity of AMR according to frequency and regularity of scoring. METHODS AND MATERIALS: Sixty-six consecutive patients (33 CF, 33 AF) with head and neck cancer irradiated with 5 fractions in 5 days per week (CF) or with 7 fractions in 7 days (AF) to a total dose of 70 Gy. A modified Dische system was used for daily quantitation of AMR during radiotherapy until complete healing. RESULTS: Confluent mucositis (CM) was noted in 79% of patients in the CF group and 85% in the AF group. In 24% of the CF group and 18% of the AF group the CM presented a wave-like pattern. In 55% of CF and 67% of AF a classic triphasic pattern was noted. In 12 patients acute reactions did not transgress the level of spotted mucositis. The present study clearly shows that quantitation of the incidence and severity of acute mucosal effects strongly depends on frequent and regular scoring. A significant difference in the incidence of CM between the CF and AF groups was noted, mainly in weeks 4-6 of irradiation. When once-weekly irregular instead of daily scoring was evaluated, the incidence of CM was underestimated by approximately 20-36%. CONCLUSIONS: Acute mucosal reactions occur as a complex of morphologic and functional disorders with individual intensity, even among patients treated with the same fractionation regimen. In some cases they present a "wave-like" pattern during irradiation. Therefore, precise quantitation of acute effects requires regular and frequent scoring.

[Efficacy of primary and combined radiotherapy in locally advanced cancer of oropharynx and nasopharynx in III and IV stage]. / Ocena skutecznosci radioterapii i leczenia skojarzonego u chorych na raka czesci nosowej i ustnej gardla w stopniu III i IV klinicznego zaawansowania.

Aim of the study is evaluation of radiotherapy treatment in cancer of oropharynx and nasopharynx. Retrospective analysis was based on 283 patients in III and IV clinical stage of disease without distant metastases who were treated between 1989-2001. 201 patients were treated radiotherapy alone and 82 by combined modality: radiotherapy and chemotherapy. Induction chemotherapy and radiotherapy was used in 34 cases, concomitant chemoradiotherapy--25 and adjuvant chemotherapy and radiotherapy in 23 cases. Following methods of radiotherapy fractionation were used: accelerated in 35 cases, conventional--26, hyperfractionation--21. Accelerated treatment mainly was used in concomitant combined modality. Log-rank statistical analysis revealed better results of treatment for combined modality: radiotherapy and chemotherapy. Most effectiveness method of combined modality was concomitant radiochemotherapy. Locoregional control in 3 years observation interval was better for concomitant mode about 18% comparing to induction chemotherapy and radiotherapy and 30% to adjuvant chemotherapy and radiotherapy. Based on this data, the optimal mode of treatment in III and IV stage of oropharyngeal and nasopharyngeal cancer, especially with extensive nodal disease and extranodal involvement is concomitant treatment with accelerated fractionation dose of radiotherapy.