Useful combination of intra-arterial chemotherapy and radiation therapy for lateral oropharyngeal wall cancer

CONCLUSION: A concomitant treatment of intra-arterial chemotherapy and radiation therapy is a promising therapeutic option for oropharyngeal cancers. OBJECTIVES: Treatment for oropharyngeal cancer has been far from standardized because of its pathophysiologic complexity and its low incidence. In our department, T1 stage tumors with N0 or N1 status are primarily treated surgically, while T1 tumors with N2 or more advanced lymph node involvement are additionally treated with concomitant chemoradiotherapy (CRT). Treatment for T2, T3, and T4 tumors is based on CRT, but surgery is also performed if necessary. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The study included 73 patients with squamous cell carcinomas of the lateral oropharyngeal wall who received first-line therapy at our department between May 1993 and October 2003. RESULTS: The 5-year disease-specific survival by disease stage was 100% for stage I, 90.9% for stage II, 88.2% for stage III, 69.8% for stage Iva, and 22.2% for stage IVb. The overall 5-year disease-specific survival was 71.8%, and the overall 5-year crude survival was 54.1%.     

经舌骨入路口咽前壁癌的综合治疗

目的 探讨对口咽前壁癌患者施行以经舌骨入路切除为主的综合治疗效果.方法 回顾性分析2005年5月至2010年10月24例口咽前壁即舌根会厌区癌患者的临床资料.24例患者中T27例,T3 2例,T4 15例;N0 7例,N1 4例,N2 12例,N3 1例.均经舌骨入路,行全舌根和(或)半舌切除+喉部分切除9例,舌部分切除+喉全切除7例,舌全切除+喉部分切除7例,舌部分切除(全舌根+半舌)1例.胸大肌岛状肌皮瓣修复全舌(7例)或部分舌(9例)及咽侧壁缺损(16例),修复颈部皮肤缺损1例;游离前臂皮瓣+胸骨舌骨肌瓣修复半舌、咽侧及部分咽后缺损1例;胸骨舌骨肌瓣修复舌根2例;直接拉拢缝合4例.20例行双侧颈清扫术,4例行单侧颈清扫术.术前放疗5例,术后放疗16例.结果 24例患者原发灶切缘均阴性,17例(70.8％)患者淋巴转移阳性.术后咽瘘3例,其中2例舌部分切除+喉全切除胸大肌皮瓣一期修复术后4d出现咽瘘者,经清创换药后拉拢缝合;1例舌根全切除+喉部分切除术后放疗后咽瘘者以胸大肌皮瓣修复.17例保留喉功能患者中16例于术后1～6个月内拔管,恢复正常饮食,构音尚可,另1例发音、吞咽尚好,但堵管后通气不足,未能拔管.随访3年以上21例,Kaplan-Meier法计算3年总生存率72.6％.结论 经舌骨入路口咽前壁癌切除是较为理想的术式之一,手术缺损较大,多需一期修复,综合治疗尚能取得较满意结果.     

Swallowing function and tracheotomy dependence after combined-modality treatment including free tissue transfer for advanced-stage oropharyngeal cancer

OBJECTIVES/HYPOTHESIS: There are many treatments available for advanced oropharyngeal cancer. Organ-sparing protocols reserve surgery for salvage and are thought to provide adequate rehabilitation. Surgical resection with free tissue transfer may also provide adequate functional rehabilitation. The objective was to describe swallowing status and time to decannulation in a series of patients treated with combined-modality therapy that included free flap reconstruction. STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective chart review. METHODS: Patient data were obtained from medical records of 20 patients with stage III or IV oropharyngeal carcinoma, who were consecutively treated with surgical tumor extirpation, free flap reconstruction, and postoperative irradiation at a tertiary academic center from 1985 to 2002. The following variables were identified: patient and tumor characteristics, free flap type, irradiation data, and airway and swallowing status before and after treatment. RESULTS: One patient underwent total laryngopharyngectomy, and the remaining 19 patients underwent tracheotomy at the time of definitive surgery. Free flap reconstructions included 1 ulnar and 15 radial forearm fasciocutaneous flaps and 4 fibula osteocutaneous flaps. Postoperatively, all 19 tracheotomized patients had successful decannulation. Average time to decannulation was 15 days (range, 3-42 d). After surgery and before irradiation, 13 patients initiated oral intake, on average, at 19.5 days (range, 7-28 d); 6 patients required no additional supplementation. By 4 months after surgery, having completed radiation therapy, 10 patients were consuming all nutrition orally; the other 10 patients still required tube-feed supplementation, although 6 of these patients were also eating by mouth. CONCLUSION: Combined-modality treatment that includes free flap reconstruction for advanced-stage oropharyngeal cancer may provide reasonable functional rehabilitation with respect to postoperative airway and swallowing.     

Treatment outcomes for radiotherapy alone are comparable with neoadjuvant chemotherapy followed by radiotherapy in early-stage nasopharyngeal carcinoma

OBJECTIVES: To analyze the impact of neoadjuvant chemotherapy (CT) on the treatment of early-stage nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) as compared with radiotherapy (RT) alone. METHODS: We analyzed retrospectively the outcome of 60 previously untreated and histologically confirmed early-stage NPC patients treated with either RT alone or with neoadjuvant CT followed by RT (CT/RT) at the Seoul National University Hospital between 1986 and 2004. Neoadjuvant CT consisted of three cycles with 5-fluourouracil and cisplatin. RT was given to the nasopharynx and neck nodes. The median dose to the primary site, involved nodes, and elective nodes was 70.2 Gy, 63 Gy, and 45 Gy, respectively. According to the 1997 American Joint Committee on Cancer staging system, 9 patients had stage I or IIA disease, and 22 patients had stage IIB disease in the RT group. For the CT/RT group, 8 patients had stage I or IIA disease, and 21 patients had stage IIB disease. The median follow-up for all patients was 124.5 (range, 5-239) months. RESULTS: The 5-year locoregional failure-free (LRFF), distant metastasis-free (DMF), disease-free survival (DFS), and overall survival (OS) rate was 84%, 93%, 81%, and 84% for the RT group and 77%, 86%, 71%, and 79% for the CT/RT group, respectively. There were no significant differences in LRFF (P = .728), DMF (P = .433), DFS (P = .562), and OS (P = .625) rates between the RT and CT/RT groups. Multivariate analysis revealed that delaying RT for more than 81 days was significantly associated with an increased risk of locoregional failure in the subgroup of patients with stage IIB disease (P = .044). CONCLUSIONS: In our retrospective analysis, the use of neoadjuvant CT showed no additional benefit to treatment with RT alone. Neoadjuvant CT may cause deleterious effect on stage IIB disease by delaying RT.     

The relationship between posterior pharyngeal wall thickness and swallowing function after radiation therapy

Abstract

Background: Dysphagia is a complication following radiation therapy (RT) for head and neck cancers (HNC). Radiologic findings of posterior pharyngeal wall thickening (PPWT) after RT has not been quantified and correlated to swallowing outcomes.

Aims/objective: To evaluate PPWT and its impact on swallowing function following RT.

Material and methods: Retrospective analysis of pre- and three-month post-RT PPWT, demographics, oncologic history, and swallowing parameters of patients undergoing RT for HNC. Multivariate analysis of variance was performed to evaluate the effect of PPWT on swallowing outcomes.

Results: The mean age of the cohort (n?=?207) was 61.8 (± 11.29) years. The mean PPWT increased by 0.28 (± 0.19) cm (p?=?.00) three-months after RT. A significant difference in PPWT score between tumor subsites, χ²(2) = 45.883, p?=?.00, with the highest mean rank score of 135.97 for nasopharynx and 103.46 for oropharynx. PPWT was significantly associated with increased pyriform sinus retention, higher Penetration-Aspiration Scale (PAS) scores and post-deglutitive aspiration (p?<?.05).

Conclusions and significance: PPWT increase significantly after RT for HNC. Increased PPWT was associated with mean radiation dose to the nasopharynx and oropharynx and was an independent risk factor for increased pharyngeal residue, higher PAS scores, and timing of aspiration (p?<?.05).     

Swallowing after non-surgical treatment (radiation therapy / radiochemotherapy protocol) of laryngeal cancer

Radiation therapy and radiochemotherapy protocols can cause swallowing difficulties.Aim: To evaluate swallowing in patients undergoing radiation therapy and radiochemotherapy protocol only for the treatment of laryngeal tumors.Methods: A prospective study of 20 patients, with a mean age of 62 years, at the end of oncological therapy. Six patients (30%) underwent radiation therapy, and 14 patients (70%) underwent combined therapy. The mean time between treatment and an evaluation of swallowing was 8.5 months. Videofluoroscopy was done to assess the preparatory, oral and pharyngeal phases of swallowing.Results: All patients had only an oral diet. Normal swallowing was present in only 25% of patients. The swallowing videofluoroscopic examination identified the following changes: bolus formation (85%), bolus ejection (60%), oral cavity stasis (55%), changes in the onset of the pharyngeal phase (100%), decreased laryngeal elevation (65%), and hypopharyngeal stasis (80%). Laryngeal penetration was observed in 25% of the cases; 40% presented tracheal aspiration. The grade of penetration/ aspiration was mild in 60% of cases. Aspiration was silent in 35% of patients. Although 75% of patients had dysphagia, only 25% complained of swallowing difficulties.Conclusion: Patients with laryngeal cancer that underwent radiation therapy/combined treatment can present changes in all swallowing phases, or may be asymptomatic.     

Induction chemotherapy by superselective intra-arterial high-dose carboplatin infusion for head and neck cancer

To evaluate the feasibility, maximum dose of drug tolerated, technical problems, systemic and local toxicity, response rate, overall and disease-free survival, we studied superselective intra-arterial infusion of high-dose carboplatin as part of a multimodality treatment for head and neck cancer. Forty patients with untreated stage II–IV head and neck squamous cell carcinomas received induction chemotherapy with high-dose carboplatin (three cycles at 2-week intervals using 300–350 mg/m² per cycle), delivered via superselective transfemoral angiography followed by radiotherapy or surgery plus radiotherapy. No technical complications occurred during or after the infusion. Systemic toxicity was minimal, and local toxicity was moderate. At the end of chemotherapy the overall complete and partial response rate was 90% (36/40) at the primary site and 64% (16/25) at the neck nodes. The median follow-up was 24.4 months (range 3–52). To date 21 patients are alive without disease, 2 are alive with disease, 13 have died of disease, and 4 have developed a metachronous lung tumor. There was a good correlation between the response to chemotherapy and disease-free survival. No statistically significant benefit in survival was observed with respect to other series of head and neck tumors treated with different protocols. However, discriminating between responding and nonresponding patients, this procedure can have a prognostic significance in planning integrated treatments for these types of tumors. Received: 14 January 1999 / Accepted: 2 July 1999     

Primary radiation therapy for T1 glottic cancer. Factors influencing local control

One hundred and seventy-four patients with early glottic cancer received radiation therapy on the kV250 and cobalt 60 machines. Crude survival rates at 5, 10 and 15 years were 83%, 73% and 60%, respectively. Salvage surgery for locoregional recurrences was successful in 85% of the patients. A significantly higher failure rate was noted in patients with a pre-existing chronic laryngitis, with lesions confined to the left vocal cord and in those treated with KV250 irradiation. The rate of second primaries in this case material was 11%, 70% of which were noted in the respiratory tract. Megavoltage radiotherapy offers excellent chances for cure in T₁ laryngeal carcinoma with preservation of good voice in most patients. Patients with chronic laryngitis carry a high risk of local recurrence and therefore should be considered for primary conservation surgery.     

Salvage surgery for recurrent oropharyngeal cancer: post-operative oncologic and functional outcomes

Conclusion: Post-operative outcomes of salvage surgery for recurrent oropharyngeal squamous-cell carcinoma (OPSCC) were acceptable. Pathologic overall, T- or N-stage and patient comorbidities were the main predictors of patient clinical outcomes. Objectives: To evaluate post-operative outcomes of salvage surgery in patients with recurrent OPSCC and to determine their predictive factors. Materials and methods: This study retrospectively reviewed the electronic medical records of all patients who underwent salvage surgery for recurrent OPSCC, between 2000–2013, in our institution. Overall survival (OS) and cause-specific survival (SS) were determined by Kaplan-Meier analysis. Predictive factors of post-operative outcomes were investigated by using univariate and multivariate analyses. Results: A total of 34 patients were included in this study. Local and general post-operative complication rates were 26% and 27%, respectively. A high level of comorbidity (Kaplan Feinstein Index: KFI ≥ 2) was the only factor associated with a higher risk of local (p = 0.03) and general (p = 0.04) complications. OS and SS rates at 3 years were 48% and 61%, respectively. In multivariate analysis, pathologic overall stage ≥ III was a significant predictor of OS (p = 0.02) and pathologic T-stage ≥ 3 was a significant predictor of SS (p = 0.01). Mean pre-operative and post-operative DOSS (dysphagia outcome and severity scale) scores were 4.4 and 3.9, respectively.     

Predictors of prolongation in radiation treatment time in a veteran population treated with chemoradiation for oropharyngeal cancer

Background: Prolonged radiation treatment time (RTT) is associated with worse tumor control. Here we identify and determine the implications of factors that predict treatment prolongation in Veterans Affairs (VA) patients undergoing chemoradiation.

Methods: Chart review from July 2000 to October 2013. 81 patients with advanced stage oropharyngeal cancer treated with chemoradiation.

Results: Twenty-nine patients (35.8%) had RTT prolonged by ≥10 days. Prolongation mainly resulted from acute treatment toxicity (n?=?22, 76%). There was no significant difference in RTT for patients treated with concurrent cisplatin versus cetuximab, or in patients treated with or without induction chemotherapy. One-/three-year locoregional control and overall survival rates of 83.4%/76.3% and 83.5%/63.6% for patients without prolonged RTT versus 61.8%/61.8% and 82.8%/73.8% for those with prolongation (p?>.05).

Conclusions: Prolonged RTT is a significant predictor of worse locoregional control and predominantly resulted from treatment side effects. More aggressive regimens with induction and concurrent chemotherapy did not predispose to prolonged RTT.     

Feasibility of flap reconstruction in conjunction with intraoperative radiation therapy for advanced and recurrent head and neck cancer

BACKGROUND: Radiation is a known risk factor for poor wound healing. Patients undergoing intraoperative radiation therapy (IORT) typically receive higher cumulative doses to their wound beds than patients treated with conventional radiation therapy. We review our experience with IORT in patients undergoing resection of head and neck cancer and flap reconstruction. Logistics of delivery and outcomes are discussed. METHODS: A retrospective chart review was performed on all patients at Beth Israel Medical Center who underwent IORT for head and neck cancer between 2000 and 2007. Twenty-one patients receiving 22 treatments involving flap reconstruction were identified. The results of these reconstructions were evaluated for complications and functional outcome. RESULTS: All patients had complex surgical wounds of the face, upper aerodigestive tract, or neck who received IORT in conjunction with pedicled or free flap closure. Twenty-five flaps in 21 patients were performed in the setting of IORT. All patients received between 10 and 15 Gy of IORT administered directly to the wound bed. There were no perioperative mortalities. Wound breakdown occurred in three cases, all of which were treated successfully by operative revision. Functionally, most patients did well and performed similarly to historic controls for their type of reconstruction. CONCLUSIONS: Reconstruction using flaps in the context of IORT can be achieved with expectation of good wound healing in the majority of cases despite heavy cumulative doses of radiation to recipient wound beds.     

Adjuvant role of radiation therapy for locally advanced laryngeal cancer without pathological lymph node metastasis

Conclusion The application of adjuvant RT to reduce recurrence should be tailored in cases of pathologically negative node metastasis. Objectives The treatment modality following surgical resection of advanced laryngeal cancer is determined by adverse factors. Aside from lymph node metastasis (LNM) or positive margins, definite risk factors supporting adjuvant radiation therapy (RT) have not been clearly suggested. The aim of this study was to analyze the risk factors for advanced laryngeal cancer without LNM and the role of RT. Materials and methods Pathologically T3 and T4-staged laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma without LNM were reviewed. The patients were classified into RT (+) (n?=?22) and RT (?) (n =?38) groups. Results Five-year overall survival (OS) of the RT (+) and RT (?) groups was 84.4% and 83.8%, respectively. Five-year disease-specific survival of the RT (+) and RT (?) groups was 88.4% and 93.9%. Five-year local control rate of the RT (+) and RT (?) groups was 94.7% and 91.3%. The factors affecting OS were smoking history and recurrence history (p?=?0.02). By multivariate analysis, smoking history and recurrence history were determining factors for 5-year OS (p?=?0.024 and p?=?0.047, respectively).