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Singh S, Bisht N, Sarin A, Vashisht R, Lohia N, Gupta V, Trivedi G. Use of split-course hypofractionated radiotherapy in palliative treatment of head and neck cancers: how does our regimen compare with others? J Radiother Pract 2023; 22:e83. [DOI: 10.1017/s1460396922000322] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/11/2023]
Abstract
Abstract
Introduction:
Head and neck cancers (HNCs) are some of the commonest cases requiring palliative radiotherapy (PRT) in an Indian radiotherapy practice. A variety of PRT protocols have been explored with varying success.
Methods:
The study objective was to evaluate the efficacy and tolerability of a short-course hypofractionated PRT schedule in HNC patients in terms of symptom relief, tumour response, acute side effects and survival and to compare results with other PRT regimens. All patients received 30 Gy in 10 fractions over 2 weeks followed by another 20 Gy in 5 fractions after a 4 weeks gap.
Results:
Seventy-five percent of patients completed both phases of treatment. Symptom relief was seen in 71% (pain) to 76% (dysphagia) of patients. Tumour response was recorded in 73% of patients. At 12 months, the mean overall survival was 10·29 months for patients who responded to PRT compared to 7·87 months for those who did not. Results were comparable to other regimens reported in the literature, but no radiobiological advantage of a higher dose was discernible.
Conclusions:
Short-course hypofractionated PRT is effective in reducing tumour burden and relieving symptoms in HNC patients and possibly in lengthening survival. Selection of any schedule should be decided by treating oncologists based on clinical, logistic and socio-economic factors.
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Nguyen NP, Kim L, Thariat J, Baumert BG, Mazibuko T, Gorobets O, Vinh-Hung V, Giap H, Mehmood T, Vincent F, Chi A, Basu T, Loganadane G, Mohammadianpanah M, Karlsson U, Oboite E, Oboite J, Ali A, Page BR. Immunotherapy and Modern Radiotherapy Technique for Older Patients with Locally Advanced Head and Neck Cancer: A Proposed Paradigm by the International Geriatric Radiotherapy Group. Cancers (Basel) 2022; 14:5285. [PMID: 36358703 PMCID: PMC9654379 DOI: 10.3390/cancers14215285] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/16/2022] [Revised: 10/19/2022] [Accepted: 10/20/2022] [Indexed: 10/29/2023] Open
Abstract
The standard of care for locally advanced head and neck cancer is concurrent chemoradiation or postoperative irradiation with or without chemotherapy. Surgery may not be an option for older patients (70 years old or above) due to multiple co-morbidities and frailty. Additionally, the standard chemotherapy of cisplatin may not be ideal for those patients due to oto- and nephrotoxicity. Though carboplatin is a reasonable alternative for cisplatin in patients with a pre-existing hearing deficit or renal dysfunction, its efficacy may be inferior to cisplatin for head and neck cancer. In addition, concurrent chemoradiation is frequently associated with grade 3-4 mucositis and hematologic toxicity leading to poor tolerance among older cancer patients. Thus, a new algorithm needs to be developed to provide optimal local control while minimizing toxicity for this vulnerable group of patients. Recently, immunotherapy with check point inhibitors (CPI) has attracted much attention due to the high prevalence of program death-ligand 1 (PD-L1) in head and neck cancer. In patients with recurrent or metastatic head and neck cancer refractory to cisplatin-based chemotherapy, CPI has proven to be superior to conventional chemotherapy for salvage. Those with a high PD-L1 expression defined as 50% or above or a high tumor proportion score (TPS) may have an excellent response to CPI. This selected group of patients may be candidates for CPI combined with modern radiotherapy techniques, such as intensity-modulated image-guided radiotherapy (IM-IGRT), volumetric arc therapy (VMAT) or proton therapy if available, which allow for the sparing of critical structures, such as the salivary glands, oral cavity, cochlea, larynx and pharyngeal muscles, to improve the patients' quality of life. In addition, normal organs that are frequently sensitive to immunotherapy, such as the thyroid and lungs, are spared with modern radiotherapy techniques. In fit or carefully selected frail patients, a hypofractionated schedule may be considered to reduce the need for daily transportation. We propose a protocol combining CPI and modern radiotherapy techniques for older patients with locally advanced head and neck cancer who are not eligible for cisplatin-based chemotherapy and have a high TPS. Prospective studies should be performed to verify this hypothesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nam P Nguyen
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Howard University, 2041 Georgia Ave NW, Washington, DC 20060, USA
| | - Lyndon Kim
- Department of Neurology, Division of Neuro-Oncology, Mount Sinai Hospital, New York, NY 10029, USA
| | | | - Brigitta G Baumert
- Institute of Radiation Oncology, Cantonal Hospital Graubuenden, 7000 Chur, Switzerland
| | - Thandeka Mazibuko
- International Geriatric Radiotherapy Group, Department of Radiation Oncology, Washington, DC 20001, USA
| | - Olena Gorobets
- Department of Maxillofacial Surgery, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Martinique, 97213 Le Lamentin Martinique, France
| | - Vincent Vinh-Hung
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Centre Hospitalier de la Polynesie Francaise, 98716 Pirae, Tahiti, French Polynesia
| | - Huan Giap
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC 29425, USA
| | - Tahir Mehmood
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Northampton General Hospital, Northampton NN1 5BD, UK
| | - Felix Vincent
- Department of Surgery, Southern Regional Health System-Lawrenceburg, Lawrenceburg, TN 38464, USA
| | - Alexander Chi
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Beijing Chest Hospital, Beijing 101149, China
| | - Trinanjan Basu
- Department of Radiation Oncology, HCG Cancer Center Borivali, and HCG ICS, Mumbai, Maharashtra 400092, India
| | | | | | - Ulf Karlsson
- International Geriatric Radiotherapy Group, Department of Radiation Oncology, Washington, DC 20001, USA
| | - Eromosele Oboite
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Howard University, 2041 Georgia Ave NW, Washington, DC 20060, USA
| | - Joan Oboite
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Howard University, 2041 Georgia Ave NW, Washington, DC 20060, USA
| | - Ahmed Ali
- Department of Hematology Oncology, Howard University, Washington, DC 20059, USA
| | - Brandi R Page
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD 21093, USA
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de Vries J, Poelman A, Sidorenkov G, Festen S, de Bock GH, Langendijk JA, van der Laan BFAM, Steenbakkers RJHM, Halmos GB. The association of frailty and outcomes of geriatric assessment with acute radiation-induced toxicity in patients with head and neck cancer. Oral Oncol 2022; 130:105933. [PMID: 35665634 DOI: 10.1016/j.oraloncology.2022.105933] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/13/2022] [Accepted: 05/20/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE Geriatric impairments and frailty are highly prevalent in patients with head and neck cancer (HNC). This study investigated the association of frailty and outcomes of geriatric assessment (GA) with radiation-induced toxicity (RIT) in patients undergoing (chemo)radiotherapy ((C)RT) for HNC. MATERIALS AND METHODS Between October 2014 and April 2016, patients with HNC were prospectively included in OncoLifeS, an institutional data-biobank. Before treatment initiation, patients underwent GA and frailty screening (Groningen Frailty Indicator and Geriatric 8). The main outcome of this study was RIT (weight loss, mucositis, salivary gland inflammation, oral pain, sore throat, hoarseness, dry mouth, dysgeusia, dysphagia and general pain) according to the common terminology criteria of adverse events (CTCAE) version 4.0. Linear mixed models were performed, to analyse factors associated with increasing mean RIT over time during the treatment period. RESULTS 160 patients were included. 114 (71.3%) were male and the mean age was 66.1 years. Age ≥ 65 (β = 0.03(95 %CI = 0.01;0.05), p = 0.01), regional RT (β = 0.05(95 %CI = 0.02;0.09), p = 0.004), and concurrent chemotherapy (β = 0.04(95 %CI = 0.02;0.07), p = 0.001), were independent factors associated with increasing toxicity during the 7-week treatment period, adjusted for relevant covariates. None of the single items of GA, as well as the frailty screening instruments, were associated with increasing RIT. CONCLUSION In this study, frailty and GA were not associated with additional RIT during treatment. These results suggest that (C)RT is equally tolerated in frail and non-frail patients, with respect to acute RIT. RT could be a suitable alternative to surgery in selected frail patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julius de Vries
- University of Groningen, Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, University Medical Center Groningen, Groningen, the Netherlands.
| | - Anouk Poelman
- University of Groningen, Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, University Medical Center Groningen, Groningen, the Netherlands
| | - Grigory Sidorenkov
- University of Groningen, Department of Epidemiology, University Medical Center Groningen, Groningen, the Netherlands
| | - Suzanne Festen
- University of Groningen, University Center for Geriatric Medicine, University Medical Center Groningen, Groningen, the Netherlands
| | - Geertruida H de Bock
- University of Groningen, Department of Epidemiology, University Medical Center Groningen, Groningen, the Netherlands
| | - Johannes A Langendijk
- University of Groningen, Department of Radiation Oncology, University Medical Center Groningen, the Netherlands
| | - Bernard F A M van der Laan
- University of Groningen, Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, University Medical Center Groningen, Groningen, the Netherlands; Haaglanden Medical Center, Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, The Hague, the Netherlands
| | - Roel J H M Steenbakkers
- University of Groningen, Department of Radiation Oncology, University Medical Center Groningen, the Netherlands
| | - Gyorgy B Halmos
- University of Groningen, Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, University Medical Center Groningen, Groningen, the Netherlands
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Fasano M, D’Onofrio I, Belfiore MP, Angrisani A, Caliendo V, Della Corte CM, Pirozzi M, Facchini S, Caterino M, Guida C, Nardone V, Reginelli A, Cappabianca S. Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma in Elderly Patients: Role of Radiotherapy and Chemotherapy. Cancers (Basel) 2022; 14:cancers14030472. [PMID: 35158740 PMCID: PMC8833743 DOI: 10.3390/cancers14030472] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2021] [Revised: 01/13/2022] [Accepted: 01/13/2022] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary The focus of this review deals with the management of elderly patients with head and neck squamous cell carcinoma, discussing the role of clinical management, geriatric evaluation and therapeutic approaches (radiation therapy and systemic therapies). Abstract Head and neck squamous cell carcinomas (HNSCC) constitute the sixth most common malignancy worldwide, with approximately 25–40% of the diagnosed patients older than 70 years. HNSCC patients are often frail and frequently have multiple comorbidities due to their unhealthy lifestyle, and evidence suggests that older patients may receive less aggressive and suboptimal treatment than younger patients with the same disease status. The aim of this review is to depict and summarize the evidence regarding the different strategies that can be used in the clinical management of elderly HNSCC patients. Key references were derived from a PubMed query. Hand searching and clinicaltrials.gov were also used. This paper contains a narrative report and a critical discussion of clinical approaches in the context of elderly HNSCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Morena Fasano
- Department of Precision Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Surgery, University of Campania “L. Vanvitelli”, 80138 Naples, Italy; (M.F.); (M.P.B.); (A.A.); (V.C.); (C.M.D.C.); (M.P.); (S.F.); (M.C.); (A.R.); (S.C.)
| | - Ida D’Onofrio
- Unit of Radiation Oncology, Ospedale del Mare, ASL Napoli 1 Centro, 80147 Naples, Italy; (I.D.); (C.G.)
| | - Maria Paola Belfiore
- Department of Precision Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Surgery, University of Campania “L. Vanvitelli”, 80138 Naples, Italy; (M.F.); (M.P.B.); (A.A.); (V.C.); (C.M.D.C.); (M.P.); (S.F.); (M.C.); (A.R.); (S.C.)
| | - Antonio Angrisani
- Department of Precision Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Surgery, University of Campania “L. Vanvitelli”, 80138 Naples, Italy; (M.F.); (M.P.B.); (A.A.); (V.C.); (C.M.D.C.); (M.P.); (S.F.); (M.C.); (A.R.); (S.C.)
| | - Valentina Caliendo
- Department of Precision Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Surgery, University of Campania “L. Vanvitelli”, 80138 Naples, Italy; (M.F.); (M.P.B.); (A.A.); (V.C.); (C.M.D.C.); (M.P.); (S.F.); (M.C.); (A.R.); (S.C.)
| | - Carminia Maria Della Corte
- Department of Precision Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Surgery, University of Campania “L. Vanvitelli”, 80138 Naples, Italy; (M.F.); (M.P.B.); (A.A.); (V.C.); (C.M.D.C.); (M.P.); (S.F.); (M.C.); (A.R.); (S.C.)
| | - Mario Pirozzi
- Department of Precision Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Surgery, University of Campania “L. Vanvitelli”, 80138 Naples, Italy; (M.F.); (M.P.B.); (A.A.); (V.C.); (C.M.D.C.); (M.P.); (S.F.); (M.C.); (A.R.); (S.C.)
| | - Sergio Facchini
- Department of Precision Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Surgery, University of Campania “L. Vanvitelli”, 80138 Naples, Italy; (M.F.); (M.P.B.); (A.A.); (V.C.); (C.M.D.C.); (M.P.); (S.F.); (M.C.); (A.R.); (S.C.)
| | - Marianna Caterino
- Department of Precision Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Surgery, University of Campania “L. Vanvitelli”, 80138 Naples, Italy; (M.F.); (M.P.B.); (A.A.); (V.C.); (C.M.D.C.); (M.P.); (S.F.); (M.C.); (A.R.); (S.C.)
| | - Cesare Guida
- Unit of Radiation Oncology, Ospedale del Mare, ASL Napoli 1 Centro, 80147 Naples, Italy; (I.D.); (C.G.)
| | - Valerio Nardone
- Department of Precision Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Surgery, University of Campania “L. Vanvitelli”, 80138 Naples, Italy; (M.F.); (M.P.B.); (A.A.); (V.C.); (C.M.D.C.); (M.P.); (S.F.); (M.C.); (A.R.); (S.C.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +39-0815-664-179
| | - Alfonso Reginelli
- Department of Precision Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Surgery, University of Campania “L. Vanvitelli”, 80138 Naples, Italy; (M.F.); (M.P.B.); (A.A.); (V.C.); (C.M.D.C.); (M.P.); (S.F.); (M.C.); (A.R.); (S.C.)
| | - Salvatore Cappabianca
- Department of Precision Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Surgery, University of Campania “L. Vanvitelli”, 80138 Naples, Italy; (M.F.); (M.P.B.); (A.A.); (V.C.); (C.M.D.C.); (M.P.); (S.F.); (M.C.); (A.R.); (S.C.)
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Piras A, Boldrini L, Menna S, Venuti V, Pernice G, Franzese C, Angileri T, Daidone A. Hypofractionated Radiotherapy in Head and Neck Cancer Elderly Patients: A Feasibility and Safety Systematic Review for the Clinician. Front Oncol 2021; 11:761393. [PMID: 34868976 PMCID: PMC8633531 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2021.761393] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/19/2021] [Accepted: 10/21/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Objective Radiotherapy (RT) in the head and neck (H&N) site are undoubtedly the most challenging treatments for patients. Older and frail patients are not always able to tolerate it, and there are still no clear guidelines on the type of treatments to be preferred for them. The recommendations for Risk-Adapted H&N Cancer Radiation Therapy during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic provided by the ASTRO-ESTRO consensus statement achieved a strong agreement about hypofractionated RT (HFRT). A systematic literature review was conducted in order to evaluate the feasibility and safety of HFRT for older patients affected by H&N malignancies. Materials and Methods A systematic database search was performed on PubMed and Embase according to Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. Original studies, case series, and case reports describing the use of HFRT (with at least 2.2 Gy fractions) in patients with mean age ≥65 years were included. The analysis was based on the type of study, number of patients, mean age, tumor site, histology, performance status (PS), RT details, concomitant chemotherapy (CT), and described clinical outcomes. All the reported doses have been calculated in equivalent dose in 2 Gy fractions (EQD2) and biologically effective dose (BED) using α/β = 10 Gy or α/β = 12 Gy. Results We selected 17 papers that met the inclusion criteria and divided them in 4 categories: 6 articles analyze HFRT performed twice daily in repeated cycles, 3 once a day in repeated cycles, 4 in alternative days, and the last 4 in consecutive days. Conclusion HFRT seems to be a good treatment with an acceptable prolonged disease control. In older patients fit for radical treatments, a 55 Gy in 20 fractions regimen can be proposed as a valid alternative to the standard fractionated RT, but there are a multitude of hypofractionated regimens, ranging from single fraction, quad shot, and 1-, 2-, 3-, 4-, and 5-week schedules that all may be appropriate. The correct regimen for a patient depends on many factors, and it represents the result of a more specific and complex decision.
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Affiliation(s)
- Antonio Piras
- UO Radioterapia Oncologica, Villa Santa Teresa, Palermo, Italy
| | - Luca Boldrini
- Dipartimento di Diagnostica per Immagini, Radioterapia Oncologica ed Ematologia, UOC Radioterapia Oncologica-Fondazione Policlinico Universitario Agostino Gemelli (IRCCS), Rome, Italy
| | - Sebastiano Menna
- Dipartimento di Diagnostica per Immagini, Radioterapia Oncologica ed Ematologia, UOC Radioterapia Oncologica-Fondazione Policlinico Universitario Agostino Gemelli (IRCCS), Rome, Italy
| | - Valeria Venuti
- Radioterapia Oncologica, Università degli Studi di Palermo, Palermo, Italy
| | | | - Ciro Franzese
- Radiotherapy Department, Humanitas Clinical and Research Hospital Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico (IRCCS), Milan, Italy.,Biomedical Science Department, Humanitas University, Milan, Italy
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