Primary and salvage surgery for cancer of the tonsillar region: a retrospective study of 120 patients

Therapeutic strategies: Surgery for human papillomavirus-associated oropharyngeal carcinoma

Treatment of oropharyngeal cancer (OPC) has undergone considerable evolution since the discovery of human papillomavirus (HPV)-associated OPC. It is widely understood that HPV OPC affects a younger population and standard treatment offers improved oncologic outcomes compared with non-HPV OPC but can cause significant toxicities and long-term side effects. Surgery for treatment de-escalation is an active area of research. The purpose of this review is to explore surgery as it relates to the treatment of HPV OPC with a focus on the evolution of treatment, rationale for surgery, surgical techniques, outcomes, and the role of surgery in de-escalation of treatment.

Predictors of survival in patients undergoing oropharyngeal surgery for cancer recurrence after radiation therapy

PURPOSE

The incidence of oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma continues to rise with the majority of patients receiving definitive or adjunctive radiation. For patients with locoregional recurrence after radiation, optimal treatment involves salvage surgery. The aim of this study is to identify factors that predict survival to ultimately improve patient selection for salvage surgery.

METHODS

Retrospective cohort study at an NCI-designated cancer center. We analyzed patients with a history of head and neck radiation who presented with persistent/recurrent or second primary disease requiring salvage oropharyngeal resection from 1998-2017 (n = 120). Patients were stratified into three classes based on time to recurrence and presence of laryngopharyngeal dysfunction. Primary outcomes were 5-year overall survival (OS) and disease specific survival (DSS).

RESULTS

Median OS was 27 months (median follow-up 20 months). Five-year OS was 47% for class I (recurrence > 2 years), 26% for class II (recurrence ≤ 2 years), and 0% for class III (recurrence ≤ 2 years and laryngopharyngeal dysfunction), (p < 0.0001). Five-year DSS showed significant differences between classes (p < 0.0001). On multivariate analysis, class remained predictive of OS (p = 0.04- < 0.001) and DSS (p = 0.04-0.001). Adjuvant radiation after salvage surgery with negative margins showed superior OS (71% vs. 28%, p = 0.01) and DSS (83% vs 37%, p = 0.02) compared to surgery alone and was a significant predictor of improved survival on multivariate analysis (HR 0.1, p = 0.04).

CONCLUSION

This study identified a subset of patients with oropharyngeal cancer recurrence within two years of initial treatment and with laryngopharyngeal dysfunction who have poor outcomes for salvage surgery.

Salvage surgery for advanced stage head and neck squamous cell carcinoma following radiotherapy or chemoradiation

PURPOSE

Salvage surgery for recurrent advanced stage head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) is known to result in poor prognosis. As there are only small and heterogeneous studies available with wide variety in outcome measures, our purpose was to select and pool literature according to specific criteria.

METHODS

Systematic review and meta-analysis of clinical outcome after salvage surgery for recurrent advanced stage HNSCC following primary radiotherapy or chemoradiation.

RESULTS

16 of 3956 screened studies were included for analysis (729 patients). Pooled 5-year OS was 37% (95% CI 30-45%, 12 studies, 17 outcome measurements, 540 patients). Outcome was presented for larynx (6 studies, 397 patients), hypopharynx (2 studies, 47 patients), larynx and hypopharynx combined (3 studies, 69 patients) or separately (1 study, 134 patients), oral cavity (1 study, 11 patients), oropharynx (1 study, 34 patients) and multiple subsites combined (2 studies, 37 patients). There was no significant difference in survival outcome between subsites (p_{heterogeneity} = 0.8116). The pooled tumor-positive resection margin rate was 32% and pooled re-operation rate 17%. Complication rates from the pooled data were: fistulas 33%, wound infections 24% and flap failure 3%. Treatment-related mortality rate was 1% and mean hospital stay was 23 days.

CONCLUSIONS

Salvage surgery for recurrent advanced stage head and neck squamous cell carcinoma after primary (chemo)radiotherapy is a good last resort curative treatment option, resulting in 37% overall survival at 5 years. As data from advanced stage non-laryngeal tumors were sparse, no solid conclusions can be drawn with regard to outcome differences between tumor subsites.

Salvage surgery for oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinomas: A retrospective study from 2005 to 2013

BACKGROUND

In the case of a locoregional recurrence of oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma, the curative standard of care is surgery. Our main purpose of this study was to determine the preoperative prognostic factors that would allow us to select the patients on whom we could expect good results with salvage surgery.

METHODS

We conducted a monocentric retrospective study from 2005 to 2013. It included all patients treated for a recurrence of oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma with surgery. Their initial treatment included radiotherapy.

RESULTS

Fifty-two patients were included. Poor prognostic factors for survival were the cT status (P = .0039) and local recurrences versus secondary localizations in irradiated areas (P = .016) and a relapse less than a year after the end of the initial treatment (P = .050). Recurrence-free survival was 19% at 5 years. Twenty-nine percent of patients presented local complications, which were mainly fistulas and hemorrhaging at the surgical site.

CONCLUSION

According to the high morbimortality, it is important to carefully select the right patients for surgery.

Survival outcomes following salvage surgery for oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma: systematic review

Background:

Recurrent oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma causes great morbidity and mortality. This systematic review analyses survival outcomes following salvage surgery for recurrent oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma.

Methods:

A comprehensive search of various electronic databases was conducted. Studies included patients with recurrent or residual oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma treated with salvage surgery. Primary outcomes were survival rates following salvage surgery. Secondary outcomes included time to recurrence, staging at time of recurrence, post-operative complications, and factors associated with mortality and recurrence. Methodological appraisal and data extraction were conducted as per Joanna Briggs Institute methodology.

Results:

Eighteen articles were included. The two- and five-year survival rates of the patients were 52 per cent and 30 per cent respectively.

Conclusion:

Improvements in treatment modalities for recurrent oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma were associated with improvements in two-year overall survival rates, with minimal change to five-year overall survival rates. Various factors were identified as being associated with long-term overall survival, thus assisting clinicians in patient counselling and selection for salvage surgery.

Clinical outcome of salvage neck dissections in head and neck cancer in relation to initial treatment, extent of surgery and patient factors

OBJECTIVE

Salvage surgery has a higher complication rate compared to primary surgical treatment. We evaluated clinical outcome of salvage neck dissections in relation to initial treatment modality, extent of surgery and patient-related factors.

DESIGN

Single institution consecutive case series.

SETTING

Tertiary Head and Neck Cancer Centre.

PARTICIPANTS

In all, 87 patients with head and neck squamous cell carcinoma, who underwent salvage neck dissection after initial radiotherapy (n = 30), radiotherapy with carboplatin/5-fluorouracil (n = 43) or radiotherapy with cetuximab (n = 14).

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

Incidence of complications, disease-specific survival.

RESULTS

Complications occurred in 28% of the patients. Multivariate analysis identified extent of neck dissection as the only independent predictor of surgical complications (P = 0.010). Surgical complication rate was 16% after radiotherapy with systemic treatment, and 47% after radiotherapy alone (P = 0.171). The 5-year disease-specific survival was 55%, independent of complications, initial treatment, extent of surgery and patient-related factors.

CONCLUSION

The only predictor for surgical complications was extent of surgery. Survival was not influenced by complications.

Surgical errors and risks - the head and neck cancer patient

Head and neck surgery is one of the basic principles of head and neck cancer therapy. Surgical errors and malpractice can have fatal consequences for the treated patients. It can lead to functional impairment and has impact in future chances for disease related survival. There are many risks for head and neck surgeons that can cause errors and malpractice.

To avoid surgical mistakes, thorough preoperative management of patients is mandatory. As there are ensuring operability, cautious evaluation of preoperative diagnostics and operative planning. Moreover knowledge of anatomical structures of the head and neck, of the medical studies and data as well as qualification in modern surgical techniques and the surgeons ability for critical self assessment are basic and important prerequisites for head and neck surgeons in order to make out risks and to prevent from mistakes. Additionally it is important to have profound knowledge in nutrition management of cancer patients, wound healing and to realize and to be able to deal with complications, when they occur.

Despite all precaution and surgical care, errors and mistakes cannot always be avoided. For that it is important to be able to deal with mistakes and to establish an appropriate and clear communication and management for such events. The manuscript comments on recognition and prevention of risks and mistakes in the preoperative, operative and postoperative phase of head and neck cancer surgery.

Salvage treatment for recurrent oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma

BACKGROUND

This study evaluates the oncological outcome of patients with recurrent oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (OPSCC) after primary radiation therapy +/- chemotherapy, primary surgical therapy, and surgical therapy followed by radiation therapy +/- chemotherapy.

METHODS

A total of 156 patients (36%) of a cohort of 427 treated for OPSCC between 1990 and 2006 developed recurrent disease. Fifty-one patients (12%) qualified for salvage treatment. Study endpoints were 5-year overall survival (OS) and disease-specific survival (DSS).

RESULTS

The 5-year OS and DSS rates after salvage treatment were 29% and 40%; after initial primary radiation therapy, 25% and 40%; after initial surgery followed by radiation therapy, 40% and 40%; and after initial surgery alone, 20% and 40%.

CONCLUSIONS

Patients with an advanced OPSCC have a considerable risk for recurrence. Despite poor ultimate outcome, salvage treatment should be attempted in patients with resectable disease, good performance status, and absence of distant metastases.

Factors predictive of successful outcome following salvage treatment of isolated neck recurrences

Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate the outcome and predictive factors for salvage treatment of isolated neck recurrence after primary curative surgery for head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC).

Study Design: Case series with chart review.

Setting: Head and neck cancer clinic in a tertiary care university hospital.

Subjects and Methods: A retrospective study was conducted with 236 patients who developed a recurrence after primary curative surgery with or without radiotherapy for HNSCC.

Results: Isolated neck recurrence developed in 61 (26%) patients. Salvage treatment was offered to 49 patients, and the overall salvage rate was 33 percent (20 of 61). The salvage rate for the surgical salvage group was 46 percent (16 of 35) and 28 percent (4 of 14) for the nonsurgical salvage group (chemoradiation) ( P = 0.14 ). The three-year overall survival rate was 36 percent for patients with surgical salvage and 12 percent for patients with nonsurgical salvage ( P = 0.101). There were no survivors of the supportive care group (0 of 12). Univariate analysis of individuals with isolated neck recurrence showed that patients who had previous treatment with surgery alone, a disease-free time longer than one year, previous pathologic N- status, recurrence in the undissected neck, or recurrent N1 had significantly improved salvage time ( P < 0.05). However, in multivariate analysis, the factors previous treatment with surgery alone and recurrent N1 submitted to the salvage treatment were independent predictors of a successful salvage of isolated neck recurrence.

Conclusion: Our results suggest that the ideal candidates for salvage neck treatment include those patients with recurrent N1 disease and those whose previous treatment was surgery only.

Long-term outcome analysis after surgical salvage for recurrent tonsil carcinoma following radical radiotherapy

The objective of this study is to report the longterm outcomes of salvage surgery following local and/or regional failure of tonsillar carcinoma treated with standard fractionation radiotherapy. All cases of carcinoma of the tonsil treated by radical radiotherapy at the Princess Margaret Hospital between January 1970 and December 1990 were reviewed retrospectively. Patients who underwent salvage surgery for local and/or regional recurrent squamous cell carcinoma of the tonsil following radiation therapy were included for analysis. 239 out of 640 patients with tonsillar carcinoma recurred post radiotherapy. 175 patients were deemed candidates for surgical salvage. At the time of the last follow-up, only 13 patients were alive and 162 patients had died. The majority of patients (n = 96, 59%)died with disease. The median time to death was approximately 1.3 years following salvage surgery. The 5-year overall survival rate was 23%. The 5-year cause-specific survival was 40%. The probability of death due to disease was higher than the probability of death due to other causes. Both N-classification and T-classification were found to be significant predictors of time to death. In conclusion,in spite of the fact that the patients in this study had been treated prior to the widespread introduction of altered fractionation and concurrent chemoradiation for advanced tonsil carcinoma, it demonstrates the poor prognosis of recurrent disease. Despite the poor prognosis, 20% of patients will be alive at 5 years and therefore salvage surgery should be considered when possible.

Salvage Reconstruction of Extensive Recurrent Oral Cancer Defects With the Pectoralis Major Myocutaneous Flap

PURPOSE

This study aimed to evaluate the usefulness of the pectoralis major myocutaneous flap for reconstruction of oral and facial defects after excision of recurrent oral cancer and the results of salvage surgery.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Twenty-four patients with recurrent squamous cell carcinoma of the oral cavity underwent salvage surgical treatment. Pectoralis major flaps were used for reconstruction of the extensive defects caused by excision of the tumors. The complications of the flap and the prognosis of the patients were analyzed with a follow-up from 5 to 65 months (mean = 18.5 months).

RESULTS

Fourteen flaps were used for mucosal lining of the mouth, and 10 flaps were used for reconstruction of the cutaneous defects. The overall success rate of the flap was 70.8%. Flap-related complications developed in 13 patients (54.2%). Major complications occurred in 7 patients (29.2%), and minor complications occurred in 6 (25.0%). Three patients (12.5%) had complications unrelated to the flap. The reconstruction of the base of the tongue, the floor of the mouth, and the oropharynx emerged as a significant risk factor for flap necrosis on binary logistic regression analysis (P < .05). The overall 1-, 3-, and 5-year overall survival rate was 72.8%, 30.9%, and 20.6%, respectively.

CONCLUSION

The pectoralis major myocutaneous flap is a reliable choice for reconstruction of extensive soft tissue defects caused by excision of recurrent oral cancer. The major complications correlate with the site of reconstruction. Many patients benefit from salvage surgery, and some of them can survive 2 to 4 years postoperatively.

Prognostic factors in salvage surgery for recurrent oral and oropharyngeal cancer

BACKGROUND

Therapeutic decisions in recurrent oral and oropharyngeal squamous carcinoma (SCC) remain controversial.

METHODS

Two hundred forty-six consecutive patients who underwent salvage surgery for recurrent squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) of the oral cavity and oropharynx were studied. The tumor sites were lip, 33 cases; oral cavity, 143; oropharynx, 70. The previous treatment was surgery in 73 patients, radiotherapy in 96, combined surgery and radiotherapy in 76, and chemotherapy in one. The clinical stage of recurrence was I/II in 51 cases and III/IV in 195 cases. The disease-free interval (DFI) was less than 1 year in 156 cases and greater than 1 year in 90 cases.

RESULTS

The rate of recurrence was 54.9%, and the overall 5-year actuarial survival rate was 32.3%. The significant prognostic factors in multivariate analysis were restage (p = .049) and DFI (p = .045).

CONCLUSION

Patients with recurrent oral and oropharyngeal SCC at initial clinical stages (rCS I and II) and with a DFI greater than 1 year had a favorable prognosis.

Survival Impact of Planned Restaging and Early Surgical Salvage Following Definitive Chemoradiation for Locally Advanced Squamous Cell Carcinomas of the Oropharynx and Hypopharynx

OBJECTIVES

Patients who have received definitive radiation therapy (RT) for a nonlaryngeal T3/4 head and neck squamous cell carcinoma have a limited opportunity for post-RT surgical salvage. The authors reviewed the practice of planned post-RT restaging to determine its impact on the success of early surgical salvage.

METHODS

A retrospective review was performed for patients with resectable T3/4 cancers of the oropharynx and hypopharynx treated with RT +/- chemotherapy who underwent planned restaging clinically, radiographically (CT or MRI), and by direct laryngoscopy with biopsy at 4 to 8 weeks post-RT. Chemotherapy was given as induction, concurrently, or both. Neck dissection was performed at time of restaging in patients with primary tumor control and initial N2/N3 neck disease or persistent lymphadenopathy.

RESULTS

A total of 54 patients had a median follow-up of 34.7 months (range, 7.6-97.8 months). Forty-two patients (78.8%) achieved a complete response (CR) at the primary site immediately after RT. Six developed late local failure at 9 to 61 months, of whom 2 were successfully salvaged. The ultimate 2-year local control among patients with initial CR was 94.8%. The 2-year organ preservation, disease-free survival, and overall survival (OS) rates were was 92.5%, 87%, and 90%, respectively. Twelve patients did not achieve initial CR. Two patients with bulky stage IV disease had unresectable cancers. Ten underwent immediate surgical salvage and 7 achieved local control (1 of whom developed distant metastases) whereas 3 had continued local failure. For patients without initial CR, the 2-year ultimate local control rate was 46.7% and OS was 46.8%. For all patients, overall 2-year local control, organ preservation, and OS rates were 85.6%, 75.6%, and 81.8% respectively. The rate of local failure-free organ preservation was 71.5%.

CONCLUSION

For patients with T3/4 resectable nonlaryngeal head and neck cancers, planned clinical, radiographic, and pathologic restaging at 1 to 2 months after definitive RT provides the opportunity for early surgical salvage in those who fail at the primary site. This practice produces improved overall local control and survival rates compared with the literature reports for delayed attempted salvage with timing based on the findings of routine postradiation clinical surveillance. Future efforts may focus on the improved selection of patients who would be most likely to require early surgical intervention.

Salvage surgery after failure of very accelerated radiotherapy in advanced head-and-neck squamous cell carcinoma

PURPOSE

To assess the efficacy and toxicity of salvage surgery for local or cervical nodal recurrence after accelerated radiotherapy for locally advanced head-and-neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC).

METHODS AND MATERIALS

We reviewed the medical records of the 136 patients with HNSCC who had been treated in three consecutive clinical trials at the Institut Gustave-Roussy using a very accelerated radiotherapy regimen (62 to 64 Gy with 2 daily fractions of 1.8 to 2 Gy over 3.5 weeks). Sixty-nine patients of the 136 initial patients (51%) had local or neck lymph nodes relapse, or both.

RESULTS

Sixteen of these 69 patients (23%) had undergone salvage surgery for recurrence locally (n = 8) or in the cervical nodes (n = 8). All 16 had initially been diagnosed with locally advanced oropharyngeal carcinoma (T4, 11 patients; T3, 5 patients), and 13 had initially had cervical node involvement. After salvage surgery, 6 patients had had a local recurrence; 7, cervical node recurrence; and 3, distant metastasis. Thus, salvage surgery had been successful only in 3 patients. The 3- and 5-year overall actuarial survival rates were 20% and 11%, respectively. Eight patients had major postoperative wound complications, including carotid rupture in three cases.

CONCLUSION

Salvage surgery for relapse after very accelerated radiotherapy for advanced HNSCC is infrequently feasible and is of limited survival benefit. It should be used only in carefully selected cases.

A review on re-irradiation for recurrent and second primary head and neck cancer

The purpose of this paper is to review the results of studies regarding radiation as primary or adjuvant treatment modality for head and neck recurrences or second primary tumours (SPT) in previously irradiated areas, with emphasis on acute and late radiation induced morbidity, locoregional control and survival. The criteria for the studies to be included in this review were: (1) re-irradiation for locoregional recurrent disease or SPT in the head and neck region, (2) squamous cell carcinoma of the oral cavity, oropharynx, hypopharynx and larynx, and (3) a minimum of 10 patients included in the study. Studies were divided in four categories, including (1) external beam re-irradiation, (2) re-irradiation with brachytherapy, (3) re-irradiation in combination with chemotherapy and (4) postoperative re-irradiation. Most studies were retrospective using heterogeneous treatment regimens and including heterogeneous groups of patients. A total number of 27 studies were included. Overall survival, locoregional control and acute and late radiation-induced morbidity are reported. High dose reirradiation as salvage treatment in case of recurrent or second primary head and neck cancer should be considered, particularly when salvage surgery is not feasible. Although long term survivors are reported is some studies, the relatively high incidence of treatment-related morbidity emphasize the need for further optimisation in order to improve locoregional control and reduce the risk on late morbidity.

Treatment of the N0 neck during salvage surgery after radiotherapy of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma

BACKGROUND

The morbidity and mortality rates of salvage surgery in patients with local recurrence of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) after radiotherapy are high. The aim of this study was to determine the rate of occult neck node metastasis and the surgical morbidity of patients after salvage surgery for local relapse after definitive radiotherapy.

METHODS

Thirty patients who underwent salvage surgery with a simultaneous neck node dissection for a local relapse after definitive radiotherapy for HNSCC between 1992 and 2000 were included in this study. The primary tumor sites were oral cavity in six patients, oropharynx in 17, supraglottic larynx in three, and hypopharynx in four. Initially, seven patients had T2 disease, eight had T3, and 15 had T4.

RESULTS

Twelve patients (40%) experienced postoperative complications, including two deaths. There was no cervical lymph node metastasis (pN0) in 29 of the 30 patients. Fifteen patients (50%) had a recurrence after salvage surgery, including 11 new local recurrences and four patients with distant metastasis.

CONCLUSIONS

The risk of neck node metastasis during salvage surgery for local recurrence in patients treated initially with radiation for N0 HNSCC is low. Neck dissection should be performed in only limited area, depending on the surgical procedure used for tumor resection.

Cancer of the oropharynx

Oropharyngeal cancer is a rare tumour. Tobacco use and alcohol consumption are recognised as major risk factors. Several carcinogens, occupational exposures and vitamin deficiencies represent the most significant predisposing factors. A varying host susceptibility to carcinogens can be inferred. Carcinoma of the oropharynx has to be suspected whenever sore throat, odynophagia, and ear-ache are described by the patient. Biopsy is mandatory for the definitive diagnosis. TNM classification is crucial for treatment decision-making, while stage grouping is less important. Prognostic factors are treatment-related. Standard treatment of T1-T2 tumours is radiation therapy, for T3 and T4 tumour treatment options are controversial. More advanced tumours can be treated either with surgery followed by conventional radiotherapy or by combined chemo-radiation. Non-conventional fractionation radiotherapy in combination with chemotherapy may represent a third option. Acute toxicity needs to be managed promptly. Late sequelae are less known. Treatment of such tumours requires a multidisciplinary approach within experienced centres.

Salvage surgery for patients with recurrent squamous cell carcinoma of the upper aerodigestive tract: when do the ends justify the means?

OBJECTIVES/HYPOTHESES

Salvage surgery is widely viewed as a "double-edged sword." It is the best option for many patients with recurrent cancer of the upper aerodigestive tract, especially when original therapy included irradiation, yet it may provide only modest benefit at high personal cost to the patient. The stakes are high because alternatives are of limited value. The primary objective of this study was to fully assess the value of salvage surgical procedures in the treatment of local and regional recurrence. The following hypotheses were developed to focus the study design and data analysis. 1) The efficacy of salvage surgery correlates recurrent stage, recurrent site, and time to presalvage recurrence. 2) The economic and noneconomic costs of salvage surgery increase with higher recurrent stage. 3) Information relating the value of salvage surgery to recurrent stage and recurrent site will be useful to these patients and the physicians who treat them.

STUDY DESIGN

Two complimentary methods of investigation were used: a meta-analysis of the published literature and a prospective observational study of patients undergoing salvage surgery for recurrent cancer of the upper aerodigestive tract.

METHODS

The meta-analysis combined 32 published reports to obtain an estimate of average treatment effect for salvage surgery with regard to survival, disease-free survival, surgical complications, and operative mortality. The prospective observational study included detailed data in 109 patients who underwent salvage surgery. In addition to parameters studied in the meta-analysis, we obtained baseline and interval quality of life data (Functional Living Index for Cancer [FLIC] scores), baseline and interval performance status evaluations (Performance Status Scale for Head and Neck Cancer Patients [PSS head and neck scores]), length of hospital stay, and hospital and physician charges, and related this data primarily to recurrent stage, recurrent site, and time to presalvage recurrence.

RESULTS

The weighted average of 5-year survival in the meta-analysis was 39% in 1,080 patients from 28 different institutions. In the prospective study, median disease-free survival was 17.9 months in 109 patients, and this correlated strongly with recurrent stage, weakly with recurrent site, and not at all with time to presalvage recurrence. Noneconomic costs for patients and economic costs correlated with recurrent stage, but not with site. Baseline FLIC and PSS head and neck scores correlated with recurrent stage, but not with site. After salvage surgery the percentage of patients reaching or exceeding baseline was 51% for FLIC scores, and this differed significantly with recurrent stage. Postoperative interval "success" in PSS head and neck subscale scores for diet and eating in public also correlated with recurrent stage.

CONCLUSIONS

Overall, the expected efficacy for salvage surgery in patients with recurrent head and neck cancer was surprisingly good, but success was limited and costs were great in stage III and, especially, in stage IV recurrences. A strong correlation of efficacy and noneconomic costs with recurrent stage allowed the creation of expectation profiles that may be useful to patients. Additional systematic clinical research is needed to improve results. In the end, the decision to undergo salvage surgery should be a personal choice made by the patient after honest and compassionate discussion with his or her surgeon.

Carcinoma of the tonsillar fossa: prognostic factors and long-term therapy outcome

PURPOSE

To identify prognostic parameters and evaluate the therapeutic outcomes for patients with carcinoma of the tonsillar fossa treated with three treatment modalities.

METHODS AND MATERIALS

The results of therapy are reported in 384 patients with histologically proven epidermoid carcinoma of the tonsillar fossa; 154 were treated with irradiation alone (55-70 Gy), 144 with preoperative radiation therapy (20-40 Gy), and 86 with postoperative irradiation (50-60 Gy). The operation in all but four patients in the last two groups consisted of an en bloc radical tonsillectomy with ipsilateral lymph node dissection.

RESULTS

Treatment modality and total irradiation doses had no impact on survival. Actuarial 10-year disease-free survival rates were 65% for patients with T1 tumors, 60% for T2, 60% for T3, and 30% for T4 disease. Patients with no cervical lymphadenopathy or with a small metastatic lymph node (N1) had better disease-free survival (60% and 70%, respectively) at 5 years than those with large or fixed lymph nodes (30%). Primary tumor recurrence (local, marginal) rates in the T1, T2, and T3 groups were 20-25% in patients treated with irradiation and surgery and 31% for those treated with irradiation alone (difference not statistically significant). In patients with T4 disease treated with surgery and postoperative irradiation, the local failure rate was 32% compared with 86% with low-dose preoperative irradiation and 47% with irradiation alone (p = 0.03). The overall recurrence rates in the neck were 10% for N0 patients, 25% for N1 and N2, and 35-40% for patients with N3 cervical lymph nodes, without significant differences among the various treatment groups. The incidence of contralateral neck recurrences was 8% with the various treatment modalities. On multivariate analysis the only significant factors for local tumor control and disease-free survival were T and N stage (p = 0.04-0.001). Fatal complications were noted in 7 of 144 (5%) patients treated with preoperative irradiation and surgery, 2 of 86 (2%) of those receiving postoperative irradiation, and 2 of 154 (1.3%) patients treated with radiation therapy alone. Other moderate or severe nonfatal sequelae were noted in 30% of the patients treated with preoperative irradiation and surgery, in 53% treated with postoperative irradiation, and in 19% receiving radiation therapy alone.

CONCLUSION

Primary tumor and neck node stage are the only significant prognostic factors influencing locoregional tumor control and disease-free survival. Treatment modality had no significant impact on outcome. Radiation therapy remains the treatment of choice for patients with stage T1-T2 carcinoma of the tonsillar fossa. In patients with T3-T4 tumors and good general condition, combination surgery and postoperative irradiation offers better tumor control than single-modality and preoperative irradiation procedures, but with greater morbidity.

Head and neck cancer

This synthesis of the literature on radiotherapy for head and neck cancer is based on 424 scientific articles, including 3 meta-analyses, 38 randomized studies, 45 prospective studies, and 246 retrospective studies. These studies involve 79174 patients. The literature review shows that radiotherapy, either alone or in combination with surgery, plays an essential role in treating head and neck cancers. When tumors are localized, many tumor patients can be cured by radiotherapy alone and thereby maintain full organ function (1, 2). Current technical advancements in radiotherapy offer the potential for better local tumor control with lower morbidity (3). This, however, will require more sophisticated dose planning resources. To further improve treatment results for advanced tumors, other fractionation schedules, mainly hyperfractionation, should be introduced (5). This mainly increases the demands on staff resources for radiotherapy. The combination of radiotherapy and chemotherapy should be subjected to further controlled studies involving a sufficiently large number of patients (4, 5). Interstitial treatment (in the hands of experienced radiotherapists) yields good results for selected cancers. The method should be more generally accessible in Sweden. Intraoperative radiotherapy should be targeted for further study and development.

Salvage brachytherapy and salvage surgery for recurrent oropharyngeal carcinoma following radiotherapy

We reviewed 21 patients who underwent salvage treatment after a biopsy of proven locally recurrent carcinoma of the oropharynx. Two of these patients underwent a second salvage treatment after failure of the first. Treatment was performed with Ir192 interstitial implant in 17 cases (13 rT1 and 4 rT2); by surgery in five cases (3 rT1, 1 rT2, 1 rTx), including two patients who had relapsed after salvage treatment with Ir192 implant; and by hyperfractionated external beam irradiation plus concomitant Tegafur chemotherapy in one case (rT3). The primary tumour was controlled in four of the 17 cases (23 per cent) treated with Ir192 implant. Of these four patients, two remained disease-free 42 and 59 months after treatment, one died of nodal metastases eight months after treatment and another of distant metastases 19 months after treatment. Four of the five cases (80 per cent) treated with surgery, including two patients who relapsed after salvage brachytherapy, remained free from local, regional and distant relapse 21, 25, 31 and 56 months after treatment.