Negative Prognostic Impact of Smoking on Long-term Survival in Patients With Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma Treated With Curative (Chemo)radiotherapy.

BACKGROUND/AIM: To evaluate the effectiveness of curative (chemo)radiotherapy in patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma and to identify prognostic factors influencing treatment outcomes. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We conducted a retrospective study of 73 consecutive patients, treated with definitive (chemo)radiotherapy from 2002 to 2019 (median stage III/IV 78%). The median total dose of radiotherapy achieved was 70 Gy. Concomitant chemotherapy was given to 82% of patients. RESULTS: The five- and ten-year locoregional controls were 73% and 72%, respectively; the five- and ten-year distant controls were 93% and 93%, respectively. The five- and ten-year overall survival rates were 46% and 34%, respectively. A multivariate analysis identified age, smoking, and the initial response to treatment as the strongest prognostic factors in predicting survival. CONCLUSION: Smoking ≤5 years before starting curative (chemo)radiotherapy for nasopharyngeal carcinoma was shown to be an independent negative prognostic factor for overall survival with a four-fold higher risk of death compared to non-smokers.

Impact of comorbidity scores and lifestyle factors in curative radiotherapy in laryngeal cancer.

PURPOSE: The principal goal of treatment of laryngeal cancer is to eliminate a tumour while preserving laryngeal function with radio(chemo)therapy being the mainstay of treatment. The aim of this report is to present the influence of comorbidities and lifestyle factors on treatment outcomes in our cohort of patients. METHODS: During the period 2009-2018, curative radio(chemo)therapy for laryngeal cancer was performed on 189 patients. RESULTS: The median OS was 50.8 months, with a mean PFS of 96.5 months, mean LC of 101.4 months and a median follow-up of 38.1 months. Acute and late treatment toxicity grade 3-4 was observed in 39.2% patients and 10.1% patients, respectively. A significant effect on overall survival was confirmed for the baseline PS (performance status), severity of weight loss, baseline haemoglobin values, history of alcohol abuse, marital status and comorbidities according to the Charlson Comorbidity Index, as well as the ACE-27 and ASA scores. CONCLUSIONS: In our cohort of patients treated with radio(chemo)therapy for laryngeal cancer, we found good therapeutic results and an acceptable side-effect profile. Statistically significant predictors of overall survival were the baseline PS, weight loss, anaemia, associated comorbidities, history of alcohol abuse and marital status.

Tumour volume and radiotherapy prolongation in locally advanced head and neck cancer patients treated with radical IMRT.

AIMS: The relationship of tumour volume, radiotherapy treatment time and other prognostic factors affecting prognosis was evaluated. METHODS: 184 patients with locally advanced head and neck cancer were treated with radical intensity modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) and compared retrospectively. RESULTS: In the multivariate analysis the overall survival was dependent on gross tumour volume (GTV), clinical stage (CS), radiotherapy treatment time (RTT) and p16 status. Local control was influenced by GTV, overall RTT and age. DFS was significantly affected by GTV, CS, RTT, p16 status and concomitant chemotherapy (CHT). CONCLUSIONS: The tumour volume and the radiotherapy treatment time were the most significant prognostic factors with the best outcomes in patients with GTV ≤ 55 cc and RTT ≤ 48 days (mean LC 8.1, DFS 7.1 and OS 6.4 years) and worst outcomes with GTV > 55 cc and RTT >48 days (mean LC 4.4, mean DFS 3.2 and mean OS 2.6 years).