Factors associated with pharyngoesophageal stricture in patients treated with concurrent chemotherapy and radiation therapy for oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma

Postlaryngectomy pharyngoplasty with melolabial flap

To the best of our knowledge, this is the largest case series describing the use of a melolabial flap for postlaryngectomy pharyngoplasty. It is an excellent alternative for pharyngoplasty, especially in cases post chemoradiotherapy. It accomplishes the goal while removing the restrictions of local and distant flaps. Although donor site morbidity is acceptable, specific consent is required due to the possibility of functional and cosmetic impairment. Additional cases with a larger sample size and a longer follow-up period can assist corroborate our first findings. In addition, because we tend to protect facial vessels for this flap, a follow-up about the compromise of oncological safety at level IB is required. In our case series, however, there was no recurrence until the final follow-up. As a result, it is a better option to pharyngoplasty post laryngectomy.

Long-term surgical and functional outcomes after anterolateral thigh flap and free jejunal transfer reconstruction of circumferential pharyngoesophageal defects

BACKGROUND

Circumferential pharyngoesophageal defects resulting from total pharyngolaryngectomy are commonly reconstructed using free jejunal (FJ) transfer or an anterolateral thigh (ALT) free flap.

METHODS

We reviewed the medical records of 92 patients with ALT free flaps and 140 who underwent FJ transfer between 2009 and 2022, and compared their surgical outcomes.

RESULTS

Total flap loss occurred in two (2%) and five (4%) patients in the ALT free flap and FJ transfer groups, respectively. Fistula rates were 5% in both groups. Stricture rates were 21% and 5% in the ALT free flap and FJ transfer groups, respectively (p < 0.01). At the 5-year follow-up evaluation, intelligible speech was achieved by 83% and 28% of patients (p < 0.01) in the ALT free flap and FJ transfer groups, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

Each reconstructive method can be further optimized by proficient surgeons with expertise in the available methods and by considering patient-specific factors and available evidence.

Photobiomodulation in the management of oral mucositis for adult head and neck cancer patients receiving irradiation: the LiTEFORM RCT

BACKGROUND

Oral mucositis is a debilitating and painful complication of head and neck cancer irradiation that is characterised by inflammation of the mucous membranes, erythema and ulceration. Oral mucositis affects 6000 head and neck cancer patients per year in England and Wales. Current treatments have not proven to be effective. International studies suggest that low-level laser therapy may be an effective treatment.

OBJECTIVES

To assess the clinical effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of low-level laser therapy in the management of oral mucositis in head and neck cancer irradiation. To identify barriers to and facilitators of implementing low-level laser therapy in routine care.

DESIGN

Placebo-controlled, individually randomised, multicentre Phase III superiority trial, with an internal pilot and health economic and qualitative process evaluations. The participants, outcome assessors and therapists were blinded.

SETTING

Nine NHS head and neck cancer sites in England and Wales.

PARTICIPANTS

A total of 87 out of 380 participants were recruited who were aged ≥ 18 years and were undergoing head and neck cancer irradiation with ≥ 60 Gy.

INTERVENTION

Random allocation (1 : 1 ratio) to either low-level laser therapy or sham low-level laser therapy three times per week for the duration of irradiation. The diode laser had the following specifications: wavelength 660 nm, power output 75 mW, beam area 1.5 cm², irradiance 50 mW/cm², exposure time 60 seconds and fluence 3 J/cm². There were 20-30 spots per session. Sham low-level laser therapy was delivered in an identical manner.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE

The mean Oral Mucositis Weekly Questionnaire-Head and Neck Cancer score at 6 weeks following the start of irradiation. Higher scores indicate a worse outcome.

RESULTS

A total of 231 patients were screened and, of these, 87 were randomised (low-level laser therapy arm, n = 44; sham arm, n = 43). The mean age was 59.4 years (standard deviation 8.8 years) and 69 participants (79%) were male. The mean Oral Mucositis Weekly Questionnaire-Head and Neck Cancer score at 6 weeks was 33.2 (standard deviation 10) in the low-level laser therapy arm and 27.4 (standard deviation 13.8) in the sham arm.

LIMITATIONS

The trial lacked statistical power because it did not meet the recruitment target. Staff and patients willingly participated in the trial and worked hard to make the LiTEFORM trial succeed. However, the task of introducing, embedding and sustaining new low-level laser therapy services into a complex care pathway proved challenging. Sites could deliver low-level laser therapy to only a small number of patients at a time. The administration of low-level laser therapy was viewed as straightforward, but also time-consuming and sometimes uncomfortable for both patients and staff, particularly those staff who were not used to working in a patient's mouth.

CONCLUSIONS

This trial had a robust design but lacked power to be definitive. Low-level laser therapy is relatively inexpensive. In contrast with previous trials, some patients found low-level laser therapy sessions to be difficult. The duration of low-level laser therapy sessions is, therefore, an important consideration. Clinicians experienced in oral cavity work most readily adapt to delivering low-level laser therapy, although other allied health professionals can be trained. Blinding the clinicians delivering low-level laser therapy is feasible. There are important human resource, real estate and logistical considerations for those setting up low-level laser therapy services.

FUTURE WORK

Further well-designed randomised controlled trials investigating low-level laser therapy in head and neck cancer irradiation are needed, with similar powered recruitment targets but addressing the recruitment challenges and logistical findings from this research.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

This trial is registered as ISRCTN14224600.

FUNDING

This project was funded by the National Institute for Health and Care Research ( NIHR ) Health Technology Assessment programme and will be published in full in Health Technology Assessment; Vol. 26, No. 46. See the NIHR Journals Library website for further project information.

Effect of Race and Ethnicity on Risk of Radiotherapy Toxicity and Implications for Radiogenomics

AIMS

Patient factors affect the risk of radiotherapy toxicity, but many are poorly defined. Studies have shown that race affects cancer incidence, survival, drug response, molecular pathways and epigenetics. Effects on radiosensitivity and radiotherapy toxicity are not well studied. The aim of the present study was to identify the effects of race and ethnicity on the risk of radiotherapy toxicity.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A systematic review was carried out of PubMed, Ovid Medline and Ovid Embase with no year limit. PRISMA 2020 guidelines were followed. Two independent assessors reviewed papers.

RESULTS

Of 607 papers screened, 46 fulfilled the inclusion criteria. Papers were published between 1996 and 2021 and involved 30-28,354 individuals (median 433). Most involved patients with prostate (33%), breast (26%) and lung (9%) cancer. Both early and late toxicities were studied. Some studies reported a higher risk of toxicity in White men with prostate cancer compared with other races and ethnicities. For breast cancer patients, some reported an increased risk of toxicity in White women compared with other race and ethnic groups. In general, it was difficult to draw conclusions due to insufficient reporting and analysis of race and ethnicity in published literature.

CONCLUSIONS

Reporting of race and ethnicity in radiotherapy studies must be harmonised and improved and frameworks are needed to improve the quality of reporting. Further research is needed to understand how ancestral heritage might affect radiosensitivity and risk of radiotherapy toxicity.

Balloon dilatation complications during esophagogastric anastomotic stricture treatment under fluoroscopy: Risk factors, prevention, and management

BACKGROUND

Balloon dilatation (BD) is a common treatment for esophagogastric anastomotic stricture (EAS), but with complications. This study investigates the risk factors, prevention, and management of BD complications to provide clinical guidance.

METHODS

We retrospectively analyzed the clinical data of 378 patients with EAS treated by BD from March 2011 to June 2021. The association between esophagogastric anastomotic rupture outcome and patient and stricture characteristics and treatment were analyzed by logistic regression.

RESULTS

BD was performed 552 times and technical success, 98.0%; overall clinical success, 97.8%; major adverse events, 1.3%; minor adverse events, 9.4%; mortality, 0.3%. Logistic regression showed that age (p = 0.080), sex (p = 0.256), interval from surgery to stricture development (p = 0.817), number of dilatations (p = 0.054), cause of stricture (p ≥ 0.168), and preoperative chemotherapy (p = 0.679) were not associated with anastomotic rupture. Balloon diameter (p < 0.001), preoperative radiotherapy (p = 0.003), and chemoradiotherapy (p = 0.021) were correlated with anastomotic rupture. All patients with type I and II ruptures resumed oral feeding without developing into type III rupture. Type III rupture occurred in six cases, who resumed oral feeding after 7-21 days of nasal feeding and liquid feeding. One patient died of massive bleeding after BD.

CONCLUSIONS

Symptomatic treatment for type I and II ruptures and transnasal decompression and jejunal nutrition tubes for type III rupture, are suggested pending rupture healing. Tumor recurrence, preoperative radiotherapy, and balloon diameter affected the anastomotic rupture outcome.

Cetuximab-Induced Small Intestine Stricture in Metastatic Squamous Cell Carcinoma of the Oral Cavity

Cetuximab is an epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) inhibitor, which is used to treat patients with metastatic head and neck cancer. Dermatological reactions are the most serious adverse events associated with cetuximab treatment including an acne-like rash, xerosis, and pruritus. Other adverse effects include infections, hypomagnesemia, mucositis, conjunctivitis, nausea, and diarrhea. Mucositis is not only restricted to the oral mucosa, however, can affect any part of the gastrointestinal tract. The duration of treatment-related mucositis has been associated with stricture formation. We describe a case of chronic duodenal and jejunal strictures attributed to cetuximab use.

Diagnosis and management of pharyngoesophageal stenosis: A comprehensive approach to prophylactic, endoscopic, and reconstructive treatment options

BACKGROUND

Pharyngoesophageal stenosis (PES) is a serious complication that substantially impacts functional outcomes and quality of life (QOL) for up to a third of head and neck cancer patients who undergo radiotherapy. Dysphagia is often multifactorial in nature and is a devastating complication of treatment that impacts patients' QOL, general health and overall wellbeing. The authors detail the clinical presentation, risk factors, imaging characteristics, preventive measures, and multimodality treatment options for PES.

METHODS

The authors present a comprehensive management algorithm for PES, including treatment by dilation, stenting, spray cryotherapy and dilation, and reconstructive treatment options utilizing different pedicled and free flaps.

RESULTS

The authors advocate for a thorough assessment of the extent and degree of pharyngoesophageal involvement of PES to determine the optimal management strategy.

CONCLUSIONS

The development of post treatment dysphagia requires appropriate imaging and biopsy, when indicated, to rule out the presence of persistent/recurrent cancer. Multidisciplinary management by a team of physicians well-versed in the range of diagnostic and therapeutic interventions available for PES is critical to its successful management.

Speech and swallow rehabilitation in head and neck cancer: United Kingdom National Multidisciplinary Guidelines

This is the official guideline endorsed by the specialty associations involved in the care of head and neck cancer patients in the UK. The disease itself and the treatment can have far reaching effects on speech and swallow function, which are consistently prioritised by survivors as an area of concern. This paper provides recommendations on the assessments and interventions for speech and swallow rehabilitation in this patient group.

Surgical management of oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma: Survival and functional outcomes

BACKGROUND

The purpose of this study was to further define the impact of primary surgery in the management of oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (SCC).

METHODS

Two hundred ninety-six patients with oropharyngeal SCC treated with primary surgery were included. Multivariable analysis and recursive partitioning analysis (RPA) identified predictors of survival and gastrostomy tube presence.

RESULTS

Multivariable analysis identified that HPV negativity (p = .0002), presence of extranodal extension (p = .0025), and advanced T classification (p = .0081) were independent predictors of survival. For HPV-positive patients, surgical approach (p = .0111) and margin status (p = .0287) were significant predictors of survival. For HPV-negative patients, extranodal extension (p = .0021) and advanced T classification (p = .0342) were significant predictors of survival. Smoking status and advanced neck disease did not impact survival, and the addition of adjuvant chemotherapy did not confer survival benefit in HPV-positive or HPV-negative subgroups.

CONCLUSION

Independent predictors of survival are unique in patients with oropharyngeal SCC treated with primary surgery. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Head Neck 38: E1794-E1802, 2016.

Advances in Supportive Care for Late Effects of Head and Neck Cancer

As the population of head and neck cancer survivors increases, it has become increasingly important for health care providers to understand and manage late complications of therapy. Functional deficits can be categorized as general health deficits resulting in frailty or debility, head and neck-specific functional deficits such as swallowing and speech, and musculoskeletal impairment as a result of tumor and treatment. Of critical importance is the growing data indicating that swallow therapy and physical therapy may prevent or ameliorate long-term functional deficits. Oral health complications of head and neck therapy may manifest months or years after the completion of treatment. Patients with hyposalivation are at high risk for dental caries and thus require aggressive oral hygiene regimens and routine dental surveillance. Swallowing abnormalities, xerostomia, and poor dentition may result in dietary adaptations that may cause nutritional deficiencies. Identification and management of maladaptive dietary strategies are important for long-term health. Follow-up with primary care physicians for management of comorbidities such as diabetes and hyperlipidemia may help to limit late vascular complications caused by radiation therapy. Herein, we review late effects of head and neck cancer therapy, highlighting recent advances.

Impact of selective neck dissection on chronic dysphagia after chemo-intensity-modulated radiotherapy for oropharyngeal carcinoma

BACKGROUND

Conflicting results are reported regarding the impact of neck dissection on radiation-associated dysphagia. The purpose of this study was to reexamine this question specific to oropharyngeal intensity-modulated radiotherapy (IMRT).

METHODS

Three hundred forty-nine patients with oropharyngeal cancer treated with bilateral IMRT with systemic therapy (induction and/or concurrent) were reviewed. Chronic dysphagia was defined by aspiration, stricture, pneumonia, and/or gastrostomy dependence ≥12 months post-IMRT.

RESULTS

Selective neck dissection was performed after IMRT in 75 patients (21%). Overall, 41 patients (12%) developed chronic dysphagia. Neck dissection did not increase the rate of chronic dysphagia (9% neck dissection; 12% no neck dissection; p = .464) or gastrostomy duration (p = .482). On multivariate analysis, age (odds ratio [OR] per 5-year = 1.25; 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.04-1.51), baseline abnormal diet (OR = 2.78; 95% CI = 1.31-5.88), and IMRT dose (OR per 5-Gy = 5.11; 95% CI = 1.77-14.81) significantly predicted dysphagia.

CONCLUSION

In the setting of selective neck dissection for residual adenopathy after IMRT, neck dissection did not impact dysphagia. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Head Neck 38: 886-893, 2016.

RETRACTED: Laryngeal Function After Radiation Therapy

Laryngeal function after oncologic treatment is a key aspect and focus of interest in the contemporary management of head and neck cancers. Although historically the treatment of most locally advanced laryngeal cancers has been total laryngectomy, recent innovations in radiation therapy and combined chemotherapy and radiation therapy have shown that organ and function preservation can be achieved with good oncologic outcomes. Technical improvements, along with better understanding of tumor biology and dose tolerance of critical organs involved in speech and swallowing function, have paved the way for better outcomes. This article reviews in comprehensive detail the recent data of laryngeal function after radiotherapy.

Endoscopic balloon dilatation for pharyngo-upper esophageal stricture after treatment of head and neck cancer

BACKGROUND AND AIM

Dysphagia caused by pharyngo-upper esophageal stricture is a complication of treatment for head and neck cancer. Endoscopic balloon dilation (EBD) is in widespread use as an effective and safe treatment for stricture in many areas of the gastrointestinal tract. In the present study, we investigated the efficacy and safety of EBD for pharyngo-upper esophageal strictures that developed after treatment for head and neck cancer.

METHODS

From January 2010 to December 2013, the medical records and endoscopic findings of 19 consecutive patients with pharyngo-upper esophageal strictures occurring after surgery and/or chemoradiotherapy for head and neck cancer were retrospectively examined.

RESULTS

Mean number of EBD sessions per patient was 6.6 (1-30), and mean maximum diameter of dilation was 15.8 (11-20) mm. Technical success was achieved in 16 of 19 (84.2%) patients, and only two major complications (bleeding and pha ryngeal edema) occurred in a total of 125 dilatation sessions (1.6%). Regarding the influence of chemoradiotherapy on the outcome of EBD, patients who had undergone chemoradiotherapy plus surgery experienced significantly more restenosis during the follow-up period compared to those who had undergone surgery alone (50% vs 0%, P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

This retrospective analysis demonstrated the efficacy and safety of exclusive EBD for pharyngo-upper esophageal strictures occurring after treatment for head and neck cancer, indicating that the therapeutic application of EBD could be extended to such strictures. Patients who underwent chemoradiotherapy and surgery experienced more restenosis; hence, such patients should be carefully followed up after EBD treatment.

Outcomes of serial dilation for high-grade radiation-related esophageal strictures in head and neck cancer patients

OBJECTIVES/HYPOTHESIS

Dysphagia and esophageal stricture are frequent consequences of treatment for head and neck cancer. This study examines the effectiveness of the anterograde-retrograde rendezvous procedure and serial dilations in reestablishing esophageal patency to allow return to oral diet and gastrostomy tube removal in a cohort of patients with complete or near-complete esophageal stricture following nonsurgical cancer treatment.

STUDY DESIGN

Retrospective review of patients treated with radiation therapy with or without concurrent chemotherapy presented with complete or near-complete esophageal stricture. Patients underwent serial dilations using combined anterograde-retrograde dilation (rendezvous) techniques.

METHODS

Medical records of patients having undergone treatment between 2006 and 2012 were reviewed, and semistructured interviews were also conducted to determine current swallowing function and actual patient experience. The primary outcome was swallowing improvement that allowed for return to oral diet and/or gastrostomy tube removal. Outcomes were compared between patients with complete and near-complete (<5 mm in diameter) strictures and univariate analysis performed to identify associations between patient, cancer, and treatment characteristics on odds of gastrostomy tube removal.

RESULTS

Twenty-four patients (median age 59.5 years, 63% male, 91% Caucasian) underwent treatment. Fifty percent of patients had complete occlusion of the esophageal lumen. The majority of patients (92%) underwent either anterograde (54%) or combined antero-retrograde (38%) approach. Following a median (interquartile range) of 9 (6-20) dilation sessions, 42% of patients were able to return to an oral diet and/or had their gastrostomy tube removed. This outcome was independent of whether the stricture was complete or near complete (P = .67). Of patients who had their gastrostomy tubes removed, only 33.3% had ever smoked, compared to 92.3% of those whose tubes were not discharged (P = .007).

CONCLUSIONS

Recannulation is possible even in cases of complete or near-complete stricture. Several factors appear to impact the likelihood of successful outcome, but in this study, only patients with a history of smoking had a significantly lower likelihood of return to full oral diet.

Nomogram for predicting symptom severity during radiation therapy for head and neck cancer

OBJECTIVES

Radiation therapy (RT), with or without chemotherapy, can cause significant acute toxicity among patients treated for head and neck cancer (HNC), but predicting, before treatment, who will experience a particular toxicity or symptom is difficult. We created and evaluated 2 multivariate models and generated a nomogram to predict symptom severity during RT based on a patient-reported outcome (PRO) instrument, the MD Anderson Symptom Inventory-Head and Neck Module (MDASI-HN).

STUDY DESIGN

This was a prospective, longitudinal, questionnaire-based study.

SETTING

Tertiary cancer care center.

SUBJECTS AND METHODS

Subjects were 264 patients with HNC (mostly oropharyngeal) who had completed the MDASI-HN before and during therapy. Pretreatment variables were correlated with MDASI-HN symptom scores during therapy with multivariate modeling and then were correlated with the composite MDASI-HN score during week 5 of therapy.

RESULTS

A multivariate model incorporating pretreatment PROs better predicted MDASI-HN symptom scores during treatment than did a model based on clinical variables and physician-rated patient performance status alone (Akaike information criterion = 1442.5 vs 1459.9). In the most parsimonious model, pretreatment MDASI-HN symptom severity (P < .001), concurrent chemotherapy (P = .006), primary tumor site (P = .016), and receipt of definitive (rather than adjuvant) RT (P = .044) correlated with MDASI-HN symptom scores during week 5. That model was used to construct a nomogram.

CONCLUSION

Our model demonstrates the value of incorporating baseline PROs, in addition to disease and treatment characteristics, to predict patient symptom burden during therapy. Although additional investigation and validation are required, PRO-inclusive prediction tools can be useful for improving symptom interventions and expectations for patients being treated for HNC.

Utility of the transnasal esophagoscope in the management of chemoradiation-induced esophageal stenosis

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to describe management of esophageal stenosis after chemoradiation therapy for head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC), with particular emphasis on techniques and outcomes with the use of the transnasal esophagoscope (TNE) in the office as well as operating room settings.

METHODS

Retrospective analysis of all patients with esophageal stenosis following head and neck cancer radiation, with or without chemotherapy, and managed with TNE-assisted esophageal dilation over a 5-year period. Preoperative and postoperative swallowing function were assessed objectively with the Functional Outcome Swallowing Scale (FOSS; ranging from score 0, a normal diet, to score 5, complete dependence on nonoral nutrition).

RESULTS

Twenty-five patients met inclusion criteria. The mean pretreatment FOSS score was 4.4, whereas the mean posttreatment FOSS score was 2.7 (Wilcoxon signed-rank test, P<.001). Prior to dilation, 16 patients were completely gastrostomy-tube dependent (FOSS 5), of whom 12 (75%) were able to tolerate oral nutrition for a majority of their diet following treatment according to our protocol. No complications were noted.

CONCLUSION

Dysphagia following chemoradiation therapy for HNSCC is often related to esophageal stenosis. With the aid of TNE, we have developed a successful treatment strategy for esophageal stenosis with improved success rates.

Management of a postradiation esophageal web in the setting of a coexisting Zenker's diverticulum

We present a case of postradiation obstructive esophageal web, seen in the setting of a coexisting Zenker's diverticulum, that was treated with combined anterograde and retrograde esophagoscopy puncture and dilation. We also review the relevant literature. Obstructing esophageal webs and stenoses are well-documented complications seen in patients with head and neck cancer treated with radiation therapy. For thin webs, combined anterograde and retrograde esophagoscopy along with puncture and dilation can be a relatively safe treatment option for selected patients. The presence of a coexisting Zenker's diverticulum may predispose the patient to the development of postradiation esophageal complications and make subsequent assessment more difficult to perform.

Prevention and management of treatment-induced pharyngo-oesophageal stricture

Pharyngo-oesophageal stricture (PES) is a serious complication that occurs in up to a third of patients treated with external beam radiotherapy or combined chemoradiotherapy for head and neck cancer. This entity is under-reported and as a result, our understanding of the pathophysiology and prevention of this complication is restricted. This Review presents the knowledge so far on radiation-related and non-radiation-related risk factors for PES, including tumour stage and subsite, patient age, and comorbidities. The interventions to decrease this toxicity are discussed, including early detection of PES, initiation of an oral diet, and protection of swallowing structures from high-dose radiation. We discuss various treatment options, including swallowing exercises and manoeuvres, endoscopic dilatations, and for advanced cases, oesophageal reconstruction. Study of the subset of patients who develop this toxicity and early recognition and intervention of this pathological change in future trials will help to optimise treatment of these patients.

Success of endoscopic pharyngoesophageal dilation after head and neck cancer treatment

OBJECTIVES/HYPOTHESIS

To assess clinical success and safety of endoscopic pharyngoesophageal dilation after chemoradiation or radiation for head and neck cancer and to identify variables associated with dilation failure.

STUDY DESIGN

Case series with chart review.

METHODS

Between 2000 and 2008, a total of 111 patients treated with chemoradiation or radiation for head and neck cancer with subsequent pharyngoesophageal stenosis requiring endoscopic dilation were identified. Patients were evaluated for endoscopic dilation technique, severity of stenosis, technical and clinical success, and intra- and postoperative complications. The Diet/GT score (range, 1-5) was utilized to measure swallow success. Variables associated with dilation failure were analyzed by univariate and multivariate logistic regression.

RESULTS

There were 271 dilations analyzed, with 42 combined antegrade retrograde dilations, 208 dilations over a guidewire, and 21 dilations without guidewire. Intraoperative patency and successful dilation of the stenotic segment was achieved in 95% of patients. A Diet/GT score of 5 (gastrostomy tube removed and soft/regular diet) was attained in 84 of 111 (76%) patients. Safety analysis showed complications occurred in 9% of all dilations. Perforations were noted in 4% of all procedures, with only two esophageal perforations requiring significant intervention. Multiple dilations were associated with an increased risk for perforations. Further logistic regression analyses revealed that the number of dilations was indicating a poor outcome and low Diet/GT score.

CONCLUSIONS

Pharyngoesophageal stenosis, occurring after chemoradiation and radiation treatment, can be successfully and safely treated with endoscopic dilation techniques. Patients with restenosis, requiring multiple dilations, have a higher risk of persistent dysphagia.

Risk model and nomogram for dysphagia and xerostomia prediction in head and neck cancer patients treated by radiotherapy and/or chemotherapy

In our randomized trial on hyperbaric oxygen (HBO), it was shown that HBO could reduce dysphagia and xerostomia, which are frequently encountered after (chemo-) radiotherapy (RT) and/or surgery for head and neck cancer (HNC). A risk model and nomogram are developed to select those patients who most likely will respond to HBO treatment. A total of 434 HNC patients treated from 2000 to 2008 were analyzed and filled out the EORTC QLQC-30 and H&N35 questionnaires. Age, gender, chemotherapy, T and N stages, site, radiotherapy technique, RT boost, surgery of the primary tumor and neck, bilateral RT, and dose were analyzed in a statistical model. The discriminative value of the model was evaluated based on receiver operating characteristics (ROC), the area under the curve (AUC), sensitivity, specificity, and proportion of correctly classified measures. Significant factors in predicting swallowing problems are age, follow-up duration, tumor site, chemotherapy, surgery of the primary tumor and neck, and dose. For dry mouth, the significant factors are age, gender, tumor site, N stage, chemotherapy, and bilateral irradiation. For dysphagia and xerostomia, the area under the ROC curve is 0.7034 and 0.7224, respectively, with a specificity of 89/77%, sensitivity of 27/58%, and a positive predictive value of 83/67% for dysphagia and xerostomia, respectively. The developed predictive risk model could be used to select patients for costly hyperbaric oxygen treatment to prevent or reduce severe late side effects of HNC treatment. Our model serves as a guideline for the Department of Radiation Oncology to reduce costs by excluding patients not amenable to hyperbaric oxygen protocols. The nomogram presented is a useful tool for clinicians in assessing patient risks when deciding on follow-up strategies (e.g., hyperbaric oxygen treatment) after RT or surgery for HNC.

Hyperfractionated radiotherapy with concurrent cisplatin/5-Fluorouracil for locoregional advanced head and neck cancer: analysis of 105 consecutive patients

Objective. We reviewed a cohort of patients with previously untreated locoregional advanced head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) who received a uniform chemoradiotherapy regimen. Methods. Retrospective review was performed of 105 patients with stage III or IV HNSCC treated at Greater Baltimore Medical Center from 2000 to 2007. Radiation included 125 cGy twice daily for a total 70 Gy to the primary site. Chemotherapy consisted of cisplatin (12 mg/m²/h) daily for five days and 5-fluorouracil (600 mg/m²/20 h) daily for five days, given with weeks one and six of radiation. All but seven patients with N2 or greater disease received planned neck dissection after chemoradiotherapy. Primary outcomes were overall survival (OS), locoregional control (LRC), and disease-free survival (DFS). Results. Median followup of surviving patients was 57.6 months. Five-year OS was 60%, LRC was 68%, and DFS was 56%. Predictors of increased mortality included age ≥55, female gender, hypopharyngeal primary, and T3/T4 stage. Twelve patients developed locoregional recurrences, and 16 patients developed distant metastases. Eighteen second primary malignancies were diagnosed in 17 patients. Conclusions. The CRT regimen resulted in favorable outcomes. However, locoregional and distant recurrences cause significant mortality and highlight the need for more effective therapies to prevent and manage these events.

Functional outcomes after chemoradiotherapy of laryngeal and pharyngeal cancers

Organ preservation regimens that combine chemotherapy and radiotherapy (chemoradiotherapy) are increasingly used as the primary treatment of laryngeal and pharyngeal cancers. Meta-analytic data show a survival benefit with combined modality therapy, but the functional sequelae can be significant. Dysphagia is recognized as a common and often devastating late effect of chemoradiotherapy. This review examines functional outcomes after chemoradiotherapy for laryngeal and pharyngeal cancers, with a particular emphasis on dysphagia. Topics examined include the burden of dysphagia after chemoradiation, pathophysiology of dysphagia, baseline functioning, recommendations to improve long-term function, and voice outcomes.