头颈部肿瘤大分割放疗的研究进展及在新冠疫情中的临床价值

放疗是头颈部肿瘤综合治疗的重要部分,也是根治性手段之一。2019年新型冠状病毒肺炎疫情暴发持续至今,对肿瘤患者的治疗造成很大影响。由于常规分割放疗(2 Gy/次)往往需要6周以上连续照射,给疫情防控带来巨大挑战。大分割放疗增加单次剂量,从而减少照射次数,缩短治疗时间,可能较常规分割更适用于疫情期间的治疗。早期研究对大分割方案在头颈部肿瘤姑息治疗中的应用已有诸多探索,其安全性和有效性已得到部分确认。近期,以根治性为目的的大分割放疗及联合化疗、免疫治疗的综合治疗方案也有初步的尝试。根据疫情防控需要,国外多个专家共识也对头颈部肿瘤大分割方案进行了推荐。本文就上述进展做一综述,并讨论疫情期间实施大分割放疗的临床价值。

Hypofractionated radiotherapy of head and neck cancer:research progress and clinical value in COVID-19 pandemic

Radiotherapy is an essential part of comprehensive treatment, as well as a radical treatment for head and neck cancer (HNC). The COVID-19has continued so far, imposing a great impact on cancer care. Since conventional fractionated radiotherapy (CFRT, 2Gy/F) requires as long as more than six weeks of treatment time, a huge challenge for epidemic control is created for both hospitals and patients. Hypofractionated radiotherapy (Hypo-RT) may be more suitable than CFRT for patients during pandemic by increasing the fraction size, thus reducing fraction number and treatment duration. Early studies have explored the application of Hypo-RT in HNC in palliative setting, which partially proved its safety and effectiveness. Recently, the efforts have been made in definitive treatment using hypofractionated regimen, as well as its combination with systemic treatment and immunotherapy. Indeed, regarding the pandemic of COVID-19, Hypo-RT has been recommended by several expert consensus in the HNC. In this review, relevant research progress was summarized and clinical implication of Hypo-RT in COVID-19 pandemic era was discussed.