Late toxicities in locally advanced head and neck squamous cell carcinoma treated with intensity modulated radiation therapy.

PURPOSE: The study aims to report late toxicities in locally advanced head-and-neck squamous cell carcinoma (LAHNSCC) treated with intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT). MATERIALS AND METHODS: A retrospective study was conducted on 103 patients of LAHNSCC treated with IMRT. We analyzed the cumulative incidence of late xerostomia, dysphagia, and aspiration at an interval of 6-month, 1-year, 2-year, and 3-year from the start of IMRT. RESULTS: At a median follow up of 4.2 years (interquartile range, 3.5 to 6 years), the cumulative incidence of grade ≥2 late xerostomia was 5.5%, dysphagia was 6.9%, and aspiration was 11.1%. Logistic regression showed that Dmean of ≥26 Gy to parotids had higher risk of xerostomia (hazard ratio [HR] = 5.19; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.90-14.22; p = 0.001). Late dysphagia was associated with Dmean of ≥45 Gy to pharyngeal constrictors (PC) (HR = 7; 95% CI, 1.84-26.61; p =0.004), ≥55 Gy to larynx (HR = 3.25; 95% CI, 1.15-9.11; p = 0.025), and adjuvant RT (HR = 5.26; 95% CI, 1.85-14.87; p = 0.002). Aspiration was associated with Dmean of ≥45 Gy to larynx (HR = 6.5; 95% CI, 1.93-21.88; p = 0.003), Dmean of ≥55 Gy to PC (HR = 3.54; 95% CI, 1.25-9.98; p = 0.017), and patients having late dysphagia (HR = 4.37; 95% CI, 1.55-12.31; p = 0.005). CONCLUSION: IMRT is a feasible radiation delivery technique in LAHNSCC with a decreased late toxicity profile.

Chemo-radiation outcomes for esophageal cancer: A reflection from a tertiary cancer center on selection of patients for more aggressive therapy.

INTRODUCTION: Most esophageal cancer patients present with poor nutritional status and may not tolerate radical treatment. AIM: We aim to identify patients who are good candidates for chemo-radiation (CTRT). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Fifty-four patients treated with CTRT were followed up for a mean period of 28 months and factors affecting the outcome were analyzed along with the recurrence pattern. RESULTS: Forty-eight patients (88%) received CTRT and all completed treatment as scheduled. Eighteen (32%), 15 (27%) patients were alive with and without disease, respectively, at 28 months while 20 (37%) were dead. There was no statistically significant correlation between local failure and any of the factors like length, grade of the tumor, and chemotherapy received. CONCLUSION: Esophageal cancer patients present at an advanced stage and hence careful selection of patients for radical CTRT is very important for providing relatively longer disease-free interval. Equally important is the close monitoring of patients during treatment which helps in completing the planned treatment which translates into a better long-term outcome.

Adjuvant radiotherapy in carcinoma buccal mucosa; more conformal the best: Is it so?

INTRODUCTION: Since 1980s, computerization has made improvements in radiation therapy delivery from conventional two-dimensional to three-dimensional conformal radiotherapy (2DCRT to 3DCRT) to intensity-modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) and its newer versions. This small study is aimed to compare the existing techniques for planning target volume (PTV) and organ at risk (OAR) dose distribution parameters in postoperative buccal mucosa cases. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Ten post operative cases of early stage carcinoma buccal mucosa in whom only post operative bed irradiation was indicated was enrolled and was planned with conventional, 3DCRT and IMRT techniques to get 95% PTV coverage and dose received by organs at risk were recorded and evaluated. RESULTS: Mean and standard deviation values for PTV 95% for IMRT, 3DCRT, and conventional plans were 96.4 ± 1.8, 95.1 ± 1.9, and 91 ± 2.7, respectively. Dose received by OARs was high in conventional technique when compared to the other two. Maximum dose received by 1 cc of brain (46.2 ± 7.9 and 60.8 ± 3.8) (priority was given for PTV coverage) and mean dose received by the same eye (13.6 ± 1.4 and 22 ± 2.4) were less in IMRT when compared to 3DCRT. However, maximum dose received by 1 cc of brainstem (29.7 ± 7.6 and 14.1 ± 9.5), optic chiasma (29.2 ± 4.2 and 12 ± 2.1), spinal cord (31.8 ± 3 and 20.9 ± 4.2), and the same-side optic nerve (22 ± 6.9 and 11.7 ± 9.4) and mean dose received by opposite-side parotid (8.7 ± 1.1 and 1.7 ± 0.4) and submandibular gland (18.6 ± 1.7 and 3.2 ± 0.9) were more with IMRT when compared to 3DCRT. CONCLUSION: In postoperative cases of early-stage carcinoma buccal mucosa, it is good enough to treat with 3DCRT technique. Here, the target area will be well lateralized, and 3DCRT technique can give good target coverage and less dose to OARs, especially the only remaining major salivary glands.