Disease-control rates following intensity-modulated radiation therapy for small primary oropharyngeal carcinoma

Survival effect of pre-RT PET-CT on cervical cancer: Image-guided intensity-modulated radiation therapy era

Condensed abstract

No large-scale, well-designed randomized study with a long-term follow-up has evaluated the survival effect of pretreatment 18-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography-computed tomography (¹⁸FDG-PET-CT) on patients with stage IB-IVA cervical cancer receiving image-guided intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IG-IMRT). This is the first head-to-head propensity score-matched, nationwide population-based cohort study evaluating this survival effect. The results revealed that pretreatment ¹⁸FDG-PET-CT might be associated with longer survival in patients with stage IB-IVA cervical cancer receiving radiotherapy or concurrent chemoradiotherapy, especially in the IG-IMRT era.

Purpose

No large-scale, well-designed randomized study with a long-term follow-up has evaluated the survival effect of pretreatment 18-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography-computed tomography (¹⁸FDG-PET-CT) on patients with stage IB-IVA cervical cancer receiving image-guided intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IG-IMRT). Therefore, in this propensity score-matched, population-based cohort study, we investigated these survival effects.

Patients and methods

We included 4167 patients with stage IB-IVA cervical cancer receiving radiotherapy (RT) or concurrent chemoradiotherapy (CCRT) through the IG-IMRT technique. The patients were categorized into two 1:2 propensity score-matched groups depending on whether they underwent pretreatment ¹⁸FDG-PET-CT, and their outcomes were compared.

Results

We included 2778 and 1389 patients with cervical cancer in the nonpretreatment and pretreatment PET-CT groups, respectively. Univariable and multivariable analyses revealed an association between pretreatment PET-CT and improved survival in the patients (in the adjusted model, the adjusted hazard ratio [aHR] was 0.88; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.80-0.97: P = 0.010). Regardless of the cancer stage (early or advanced), pretreatment PET-CT was significantly superior to nonpretreatment PET-CT in terms of all-cause death (aHR, 0.78; 95% CI, 0.60-0.92; P = 0.013 and aHR, 0.90; 95% CI, 0.81-0.99; P = 0.039 for the early [IB-IIA] and advanced stages [IIB-IVA], respectively).

Conclusions

Pretreatment ¹⁸FDG-PET-CT might be associated with longer survival in patients with stage IB-IVA cervical cancer receiving RT or CCRT, especially in the era of IG-IMRT.

The Sinai Robotic Surgery Trial in HPV-related oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (SIRS 2.0 trial) – study protocol for a phase II non-randomized non-inferiority trial

Background

Human papillomavirus associated oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (HPVOPSCC) usually affects a younger patient population. As such, the risk for long term toxicity associated with therapy is an important consideration. Multiple trials focused on de-escalation of therapy to preserve survival outcomes while minimizing treatment toxicity are currently in progress, however the question of which patients are ideal candidates for de-escalation remains unanswered. Circulating tumor DNA (cfHPVDNA) has emerged as a means of monitoring disease in patients with HPVOPSCC. Undetectable postoperative cfHPVDNA levels portend a better prognosis and by extension, may identify ideal candidates for de-escalation therapy. We propose an overview and rationale for a new institutional clinical trial protocol focusing on the use of cfHPVDNA to risk stratify patients for adjuvant therapy. We hypothesize that many surgical patients currently receiving radiation therapy may be clinically observed without adjuvant therapy.

Methods

Patients with measurable cfHPVDNA and clinically resectable HPVOPSCC will undergo TORS resection of tumors and neck dissection. Patients with undetectable cfHPVDNA at 3 weeks post-op will be allocated to low or high-risk treatment protocol groups. The low risk group consists of patients with <4 positive lymph nodes, ≤2 mm extranodal extension (ENE), and perineural invasion (PNI) or lymphovascular invasion (LVI) alone. The high-risk group is made up of patients with ≥4 positive lymph nodes, gross ENE, positive margins, N2c disease and/or the combination of both PNI and LVI. The low-risk group will be allocated to an observation arm, while the high-risk group will receive 46 Gy of adjuvant radiotherapy and weekly cisplatin therapy. The primary outcome of interest is 2-year disease recurrence with secondary outcomes of 2-year disease free survival, locoregional control, overall survival, and quality of life measures. A sample of 126 patients in the low-risk group and 73 patients in the high-risk group will be required to evaluate non-inferiority to the standard of care.

Discussion

This study will provide much needed recurrence and survival data for patients that undergo primary TORS followed by observation or de-escalated adjuvant therapy. Additionally, it will help delineate the role of cfHPVDNA in the risk stratification of patients that undergo treatment de-intensification.

Patient Benefit and Quality of Life after Robot-Assisted Head and Neck Surgery

Robotic systems for head and neck surgery are at different stages of technical development and clinical application. Currently, robotic systems are predominantly used for transoral surgery of the pharynx and larynx. Robotic surgery of the neck, the thyroid, and the middle and inner ear is much less common; however, some oncological and functional outcomes have been reported. This article provides an overview of the current state of robot-assisted head and neck surgery with a special emphasis on patient benefit and postoperative quality of life (QoL). The focus is placed on the role of transoral robotic surgery (TORS) for the resection of oropharyngeal carcinomas. For this application, reported long-term outcomes show functional post-operative advantages for selected oropharyngeal cancer patients after TORS compared to open surgery and primary radiotherapy. Since TORS also plays a significant role in the context of potential therapy de-escalation for HPV-positive oropharyngeal cancer patients, ongoing trials are presented. Regarding the evaluation of the therapeutic benefit and the QoL of cancer patients, special attention has to be paid to the large degree of variability of individual patients' preferences. Influencing factors and tools for a detailed assessment of QoL parameters are therefore detailed at the beginning of this article. Notably, while some robotic systems for ear and skull base surgery are being developed in Europe, TORS systems are mainly used in North America and Asia. In Europe and Germany in particular, transoral laser microsurgery (TLM) is a well-established technology for transoral tumor resection. Future trials comparing TORS and TLM with detailed investigation of QoL parameters are therefore warranted and might contribute to identifying suitable fields for the application of the different techniques.

Assessment and prevalence of concomitant chemo-radiotherapy-induced oral mucositis in patients with oral squamous cell carcinoma

Background/aim

Quantification of oral mucositis that progresses during concomitant chemo-radiotherapy (CCRT) is essential for its management. It is important to determine the methods that are simple, reliable and beneficial in foreseeing mucositis at earlier stages of treatment.

Materials and methods

A prospective study was conducted on 100 oral cancer patients receiving CCRT following the inclusion criteria. Patients were evaluated for mucositis i.e. erythema and ulcers by using the World Health Organization (WHO) scale and the oral mucositis assessment scale (OMAS), whereas mature and immature cells were identified by exfoliative cytology. Clinical examination and procedure of oral cavity were performed before, on days 5, 17, and at the end of treatment.

Results

Oral mucositis was observed in all oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) patients receiving CCRT on different days with noteworthy increase from day 5 of CCRT to the end of treatment. For OMAS grading related to ulceration and erythema, Grade 1 (7.2%; 34%) was most commonly seen on the 5th day of CCRT, Grade 2 (29%; 19%) and Grade 3 (19%) were most frequently seen at the 17th day and end of CCRT, accordingly. With respect to WHO scale grades 1 and 2 (18.3%; 21.5%) was most frequently observed at the 17th day of CCRT, whereas grades 3 and 4 (12.5%; 2%) was noted at the end of CCRT. There was statistically significant increase in the percentage of immature cells at the end of CCRT (99%). A significant association (P < 0.0000) was observed among the days of smear and maturation stages of epithelial cells as well as among WHO mucositis grading, OMAS and types of epithelial cells, respectively.

Conclusion

According to the findings of the study, oral mucositis grade is directly proportional to the progressing days of CCRT. Oral mucositis is frequently related to adverse clinical outcomes, affecting the patient’s quality of life. It is essential to develop methods that can be employed for the assessment of CCRT associated oral mucositis.

[The role of surgery and salvage surgery in the era of HPV-associated oropharyngeal carcinomas]

The incidence of human papillomavirus (HPV)-positive oropharyngeal carcinomas is increasing worldwide. Due to a markedly different response to treatment compared to HPV-negative oropharyngeal carcinomas, determining the ideal therapeutic approach can be challenging. Particularly in never-smokers, HPV-positive oropharyngeal carcinomas respond well to primary radiation therapy; at the same time recent studies indicate comparable survival after primary surgery. For stage I tumors according to TNM‑8, retrospective analyses show very good oncologic outcomes after surgery alone, and no added benefit of adjuvant radio- or chemotherapy. Results of prospective treatment deintensification trials are expected in the coming years. Minimally invasive transoral surgical approaches for selected oropharyngeal cancers can improve preservation of postoperative function and quality of life. For both HPV-positive and HPV-negative oropharyngeal carcinomas, salvage surgery is the treatment of choice for resectable recurrent locoregional disease and resectable distant metastases.

Transoral Surgery Alone for Human-Papillomavirus–Associated Oropharyngeal Squamous Cell Carcinoma

The aim of this retrospective study was to describe the oncologic and functional results of treating oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma with transoral robotic surgery and neck dissection as monotherapy. A review was performed, including all patients who underwent transoral robotic surgery and neck dissection as the only means of therapy for oropharyngeal carcinoma from March 2007 to July 2009 at a single tertiary care academic medical center. We reviewed all cases with ≥ 24-month follow-up. Functional outcomes included tracheostomy dependence and oral feeding ability. Oncologic outcomes were stratified by human papillomavirus (HPV) status and tobacco use and included local, regional, and distant disease control, as well as disease-specific and recurrence-free survival. Eighteen patients met study criteria. Ten patients (55.6%) were able to eat orally in the immediate postoperative period, and 8 (44.4%) required a temporary nasogastric tube for a mean duration of 13.6 days (range 3 to 24 days) before returning to an oral diet. No patient required placement of a gastrostomy tube, and all patients are tracheostomy-tube–free. Among the HPV-positive nonsmokers (12/18, 66.7%), Kaplan-Meier estimated 3-year local, regional, and distant control rates were 90.9%, 100%, and 100%, respectively. Kaplan-Meier estimated disease-specific survival and recurrence-free survival were 100% and 90.9%, respectively. No complications occurred.

Deintensification of Adjuvant Treatment After Transoral Surgery in Patients With Human Papillomavirus-Positive Oropharyngeal Cancer: The Conception of the PATHOS Study and Its Development

PATHOS is a phase II/III randomized controlled trial (RCT) of risk-stratified, reduced intensity adjuvant treatment in patients undergoing transoral surgery (TOS) for human papillomavirus (HPV)-positive oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (OPSCC). The study opened in the UK in October 2015 and, after successful recruitment into the phase II, transitioned into phase III in the autumn of 2018. PATHOS aims to establish whether the de-intensification of adjuvant treatment in patients with favorable prognosis HPV-positive OPSCC will confer improved swallowing outcomes, whilst maintaining high rates of cure. In this article, we will outline the rationale for the study and how it aims to answer fundamentally important questions about the safety, effectiveness and functional outcomes of minimally invasive TOS techniques followed by adjuvant radiotherapy (RT) or chemo-radiotherapy (CRT) in this patient population.

Radiation-Induced Hypothyroidism After Radical Intensity Modulated Radiation Therapy for Oropharyngeal Carcinoma

PURPOSE

To evaluate 2 published normal tissue complication probability models for radiation-induced hypothyroidism (RHT) on a large cohort of oropharyngeal carcinoma (OPC) patients who were treated with intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT).

METHODS AND MATERIALS

OPC patients treated with retrievable IMRT Digital Imaging and Communications in Medicine (DICOMs) data and available baseline and follow-up thyroid function tests were included. Mean dose (Dmean) to the thyroid gland (TG) and its volume were calculated. The study outcome was clinical HT at least 6 months after radiation therapy, which was defined as grade ≥2 HT per Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events grading system (symptomatic hypothyroidism that required thyroid replacement therapy). Regression analyses and Wilcoxon rank-sum test were used. Receiver operating characteristic curves and area under the curve for the fitted model were calculated.

RESULTS

In the study, 360 OPC patients were included. The median age was 58 years. Most tumors (51%) originated from the base of tongue. IMRT-split field was used in 95%, and median radiation therapy dose was 69.96 Gy. In the study, 233 patients (65%) developed clinical RHT that required thyroid replacement therapy. On multivariate analysis higher Dmean and smaller TG volume maintained the statistically significant association with the risk of clinical RHT (P < .0001). Dmean was significantly higher in patients with clinical RHT versus those without (50 vs 42 Gy, P < .0001). Patients with RHT had smaller TG volume compared with those without (11.8 compared with 12.8 mL, P < .0001). AUC of 0.72 and 0.66 were identified for fitted model versus for the applied Boomsma et al and Cella et al models, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

Volume and Dmean of the TG are important predictors of clinical RHT and shall be integrated into normal tissue complication probability models for RHT. Dmean and thyroid volume should be considered during the IMRT plan optimization in OPC patients.

Staging Neck Dissection and Transoral Robotic Surgery Treatment Algorithm in Palatine Tonsil Cancer

Objective

This study introduces a treatment algorithm based on staging neck dissection to identify patients with palatine tonsil squamous cell carcinoma who can be effectively treated with single-modality transoral robotic surgery while maintaining quality of life.

Study Design

Retrospective case series.

Setting

Kaiser Permanente Southern California Medical Group from 2012 to 2017.

Subjects and Methods

Patients with early-stage (T1/2) palatine tonsil squamous cell carcinoma with clinically and radiographically N0 necks underwent staging neck dissection. Those with pN2/3 disease or extracapsular extension on final pathology were triaged to definitive chemoradiation treatment. Patients with confirmed pN0/1 necks without extracapsular extension were treated definitively with transoral robotic surgery.

Results

Nineteen patients with cN0 disease underwent selective neck dissection. All were p16 positive. Of these, 14 had pathologically confirmed N0/1 necks without extracapsular extension and were treated with primary surgical resection via transoral robotic surgery. Clear margins were obtained on all patients. There were no significant intra- or postoperative complications. No patients required gastrostomy tube or tracheostomy placement. Mean and median follow-up was 28 months with no recurrences to date.

Conclusion

Up-front staging neck dissection accurately triages low-risk patients, determining candidates for single-modality definitive treatment with transoral robotic surgery. This approach provides excellent survival outcomes and minimal morbidity and maintains quality of life among appropriately selected patients with palatine tonsil cancer.

Is There a Role for Robotic Surgery in the Treatment of Head and Neck Cancer?

OPINION STATEMENT

Given the potential for long-term toxicities from concurrent chemoradiation, there is great interest in surgery as a primary treatment modality for head and neck cancers, particularly in the younger HPV-positive oropharyngeal cancer patient. Transoral robotic surgery (TORS) has proven to be an effective technique to safely treat oropharyngeal and select supraglottic tumors surgically. Sound, traditional surgical principles are employed using improved endoscopic visualization and precise instrumentation to perform oncologic surgery without the morbidity of transmandibular or transcervical approaches. Although level 1 evidence prospective clinical trials are currently underway for TORS, the literature supports its safety and efficacy based on numerous studies. Currently, prospective randomized trials are underway to provide better evidence for or against TORS in oropharyngeal cancer. Patient selection based on comorbidities, anatomy, and available pathological data is critical in choosing patients for TORS.

Clinical outcomes after local field conformal reirradiation of patients with retropharyngeal nodal metastasis

BACKGROUND

The purpose of this study was to present our experience with retropharyngeal node reirradiation using highly conformal radiotherapy (RT).

METHODS

A retrospective screen of 2504 consecutively irradiated patients with head and neck malignancies between 2005 and 2015 identified 19 patients who underwent reirradiation for retropharyngeal node metastasis. Clinical and toxicity outcomes were assessed in these patients.

RESULTS

Thirteen patients (68%) had squamous cell carcinoma. Eleven patients (58%) received conventionally fractionated intensity-modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) or proton therapy, and 8 patients (42%) received single-fractionated or hypofractionated stereotactic RT. Fourteen patients (74%) received chemotherapy. Median follow-up was 14.7 months. The 1-year local control, locoregional control, overall survival, and progression-free survival rates were 100%, 94%, 92%, and 92%, respectively. Three patients (16%) experienced acute grade 3 toxicity and occurred in those treated with IMRT. There was no late grade ≥3 toxicity.

CONCLUSION

Retropharyngeal node reirradiation with conformal therapy is well tolerated and associated with excellent short-term disease control.

Intensity-modulated proton therapy and osteoradionecrosis in oropharyngeal cancer

PURPOSE

We compared mandibular doses and osteoradionecrosis in patients with oropharyngeal cancer after intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) or intensity-modulated proton therapy (IMPT).

METHODS AND MATERIALS

We identified 584 patients who received definitive radiotherapy for oropharyngeal cancer from January 2011 through June 2014 at MD Anderson Cancer Center (534 IMRT and 50 IMPT). The dosimetric variables and osteoradionecrosis were compared with Chi-square test or Fisher's exact test.

RESULTS

Median follow-up time for all patients (534 IMRT and IMPT) was 33.8months (33.8months IMRT vs. 34.6months IMPT, P=0.854), and median time to osteoradionecrosis was 11.4months (range 6.74-16.1months). Mandibular doses were lower for patients treated with IMPT (minimum 0.8 vs. 7.3Gy; mean 25.6 vs. 41.2Gy; P<0.001), and osteoradionecrosis rates were lower as well: 2% IMPT (1 grade 1), 7.7% IMRT (12 grade 4, 5 grade 3, 1 grade 2 and 23 grade 1). Osteoradionecrosis location depended on the primary tumor site and high-dose field in the mandible.

CONCLUSIONS

Osteoradionecrosis events were significantly associated with higher dose irradiation to mandibular. Use of IMPT minimized excess irradiation of the mandible and consequently reduced the risk of osteoradionecrosis for oropharyngeal cancer.

Transoral Surgery or Radiotherapy for Oropharyngeal Carcinoma - Is It Either Or…?

The management of oropharyngeal carcinoma represents an increasing clinical challenge, because of its rising incidence, particularly in younger patients as a result of human papillomavirus (HPV) infection, and because significant technological advances have occurred in radiotherapy and surgery over the last 10 years that have increased treatment options for patients, with little robust evidence yet of their relative merits. As a result, there is a lack of clinical consensus on the optimum treatment modality, reflected in wide variation in practice between different cancer networks across the UK. Here, we consider the evidence base for minimally invasive transoral surgery and for intensity-modulated radiotherapy-based primary treatment for oropharyngeal cancer, in terms of both oncological and functional outcomes. Management strategies for HPV-positive and HPV-negative disease, and for different stages of the disease, are considered. There is currently an unparalleled opportunity to shape the future management of oropharyngeal cancer, which is dependent on recruiting patients to ongoing clinical trials, in order to build an evidence base to support a clinical consensus on the optimal treatment strategies. It appears likely that future evidence-based decision-making will use both primary radiotherapy and primary surgical treatment modalities to maximise patient benefit.

Oncologic Outcomes After Transoral Robotic Surgery: A Multi-institutional Study

IMPORTANCE

Large patient cohorts are necessary to validate the efficacy of transoral robotic surgery (TORS) in the management of head and neck cancer.

OBJECTIVES

To review oncologic outcomes of TORS from a large multi-institutional collaboration and to identify predictors of disease recurrence and disease-specific mortality.

DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS

A retrospective review of records from 410 patients undergoing TORS for laryngeal and pharyngeal cancers from January 1, 2007, through December 31, 2012, was performed. Pertinent data were obtained from 11 participating medical institutions.

INTERVENTIONS

Select patients received radiation therapy and/or chemotherapy before or after TORS.

MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES

Locoregional control, disease-specific survival, and overall survival were calculated. We used Kaplan-Meier survival analysis with log-rank testing to evaluate individual variable association with these outcomes, followed by multivariate analysis with Cox proportional hazards regression modeling to identify independent predictors.

RESULTS

Of the 410 patients treated with TORS in this study, 364 (88.8%) had oropharyngeal cancer. Of these 364 patients, information about post-operative adjuvant therapy was known about 338: 106 (31.3) received radiation therapy alone, and 72 (21.3%) received radiation therapy with concurrent chemotherapy. Neck dissection was performed in 323 patients (78.8%). Mean follow-up time was 20 months. Local, regional, and distant recurrence occurred in 18 (4.4%), 15 (3.7%), and 10 (2.4%) of 410 patients, respectively. Seventeen (4.1%) died of disease, and 13 (3.2%) died of other causes. The 2-year locoregional control rate was 91.8% (95% CI, 87.6%-94.7%), disease-specific survival 94.5% (95% CI, 90.6%-96.8%), and overall survival 91% (95% CI, 86.5%-94.0%). Multivariate analysis identified improved survival among women (P = .05) and for patients with tumors arising in tonsil (P = .01). Smoking was associated with worse overall all-cause mortality (P = .01). Although advanced age and tobacco use were associated with locoregional recurrence and disease-specific survival, they, as well as tumor stage and other adverse histopathologic features, did not remain significant on multivariate analysis.

CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE

This large, multi-institutional study supports the role of TORS within the multidisciplinary treatment paradigm for the treatment of head and neck cancer, especially for patients with oropharyngeal cancer. Favorable oncologic outcomes have been found across institutions. Ongoing comparative clinical trials funded by the National Cancer Institute will further evaluate the role of robotic surgery for patients with head and neck cancers.

Prognostic value of pretherapy platelet elevation in oropharyngeal cancer patients treated with chemoradiation

The purpose of this study is to evaluate potential associations between increased platelets and oncologic outcomes in oropharyngeal cancer patients receiving concurrent chemoradiation. A total of 433 oropharyngeal cancer patients (OPC) treated with intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) with concurrent chemotherapy between 2002 and 2012 were included under an approved IRB protocol. Complete blood count (CBC) data were extracted. Platelet and hemoglobin from the last phlebotomy (PLTpre-chemoRT, Hgbpre-chemoRT ) before start of treatment were identified. Patients were risk-stratified using Dahlstrom-Sturgis criteria and were tested for association with survival and disease-control outcomes. Locoregional control (LRC), freedom from distant metastasis (FDM) and overall survival (OS) were decreased (p < 0.03, p < 0.04 and p < 0.0001, respectively) for patients with PLTpre-chemoRT value of ≥350 × 10(9) /L. Actuarial 5-year locoregional control (LRC) and FDM were 83 and 85% for non-thrombocythemic patients while patient with high platelets had 5-year LRC and FDM of 73 and 74%, respectively. Likewise, 5-year OS was better for patients with normal platelet counts by comparison (76 vs. 57%; p < 0.0001). Comparison of univariate parametric models demonstrated that PLTpre-chemoRT was better among tested models. Multivariate assessment demonstrated improved performance of models which included pretherapy platelet indices. On Bayesian information criteria analysis, the optimal prognostic model was then used to develop nomograms predicting 3-, 5- and 10-year OS. In conclusion, pretreatment platelet elevation is a promising predictor of prognosis, and further work should be done to elucidate the utility of antiplatelets in modifying risk in OPC patients.

Transoral robotic surgery vs. radiotherapy for management of oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma - A systematic review of the literature

BACKGROUND

Intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) with or without concurrent chemotherapy is widely utilized for the treatment of oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (OPSCC). However, due to significant acute and late toxicities there has been increasing interest in minimally invasive surgical approaches, particularly transoral robotic surgery (TORS) in an attempt to preserve patient quality of life while maintaining oncologic outcomes. The aim of this study was to review the current literature in order to compare primary IMRT versus TORS in the management of OPSCC.

METHODS

A MEDLINE search was conducted to identify studies reporting on the outcomes of TORS or IMRT in the treatment of OPSCC. Reference lists were also reviewed for relevant articles. Oncologic, functional, and quality of life data is summarized and discussed.

RESULTS

One hundred-ninety papers were identified through the MEDLINE search. An additional 52 papers were retrieved by hand searching the reference lists. Ultimately, 44 papers were identified that discussed outcomes after IMRT or TORS for OPSCC. No outcomes from randomized trials were identified.

CONCLUSION

No randomized trials comparing TORS versus IMRT to each other were identified. Uncontrolled reports from the current literature suggest comparable oncologic outcomes with TORS compared to IMRT and functional outcomes may be superior. However, the median follow-up was relatively short and the TORS studies included patients with earlier stage OPSCC on average compared to IMRT studies. Prospective, randomized controlled trials and direct, well-matched comparisons are needed to further elucidate the role for TORS in the treatment of oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma.

Advances in Radiotherapy for Head and Neck Cancer

Over the last few decades, significant improvements have been made in the radiotherapy (RT) treatment of head and neck malignancies. The progressive introduction of intensity-modulated RT and the use of multimodality imaging for target volume and organs at risk delineation, together with the use of altered fractionation regimens and concomitant administration of chemotherapy or targeted agents, have accompanied efficacy improvements in RT. Altogether, such improvements have translated into improvement in locoregional control and overall survival probability, with a decrease in the long-term adverse effects of RT and an improvement in quality of life. Further progress in the treatment of head and neck malignancies may come from a better integration of molecular imaging to identify tumor subvolumes that may require additional radiation doses (ie, dose painting) and from treatment adaptation tracing changes in patient anatomy during treatment. Proton therapy generates even more exquisite dose distribution in some patients, thus potentially further improving patient outcomes. However, the clinical benefit of these approaches, although promising, for patients with head and neck cancer need to be demonstrated in prospective randomized studies. In this context, our article will review some of these advances, with special emphasis on target volume and organ-at-risk delineation, use of molecular imaging for tumor delineation, dose painting for dose escalation, dose adaptation throughout treatment, and potential benefit of proton therapy.

Transoral Robotic Surgery in Oropharyngeal Carcinoma

Context

The incidence of oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma has increased during the past decade and is related primarily to the human papillomavirus. This change in etiology, from tobacco and alcohol to human papillomavirus, has resulted in improved survival for the disease. In the United States, open resection had largely been replaced by concurrent chemotherapy and/or radiotherapy by the early 2000s. The advent of transoral surgery has led to an increase in surgery as the primary treatment for both early- and advanced-stage oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma because it has potential advantages over open surgery and nonsurgical modalities.

Objective

To provide an overview of transoral robotic surgery for oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma and contrast it with other surgical and nonsurgical modalities.

Data Sources

Articles from 2000 to 2014 were accessioned on PubMed and reviewed for utility by the primary authors.

Conclusions

Transoral surgery has become more commonly used as a minimally invasive approach to treat oropharyngeal tumors. Other strategies, including radiation, chemotherapy with radiation, and open surgery, are still important treatment approaches. The treatment options for an individual patient rely on multiple factors, including the tumor location and size, features of the tumor, and patient comorbidities. The continued study of these techniques is important to match the patient with the most appropriate treatment.

The role of surgery for HPV-associated head and neck cancer

The incidence of human papillomavirus (HPV)-associated oropharyngeal cancer continues to increase in contrast to other head and neck cancer sites. There is a growing role for upfront surgery to treat these cancers in the era of organ preservation treatment strategies. This is becoming especially important in younger, healthier patients with HPV-associated squamous cell carcinoma. Surgery for oropharyngeal cancer has evolved from large, open transcervical and transmandibular approaches to minimally-invasive transoral endoscopic techniques. Advances in transoral endoscopic surgery (TES) have led to renewed interest in upfront surgical treatment for oropharyngeal carcinoma. Transoral laser microsurgery (TLM) and transoral robotic surgery (TORS) are two techniques that allow for complete oncologic resection through the mouth in select patients, with minimal cosmetic deformity and optimal speech and swallow function after completion of therapy. In this article we will review transoral approaches to oropharyngeal carcinoma: its oncologic and functional outcomes, and its role in the multi-disciplinary treatment of oropharyngeal cancer.

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.

What is the best treatment for patients with human papillomavirus-positive and -negative oropharyngeal cancer?

The discovery that the human papilloma virus (HPV) is associated with a high and increasing percentage of oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinomas (SCCs) is among the most significant advances in the field of head and neck oncology. HPV-positive oropharyngeal cancer (HPVOPC) has clinical, etiologic, pathologic, and molecular features that distinguish it from HPV-negative disease. Increasingly, HPVOPC is being diagnosed in clinical practice because of the easy availability of p16 immunohistochemistry, a surrogate marker of HPV. The superior prognosis of HPVOPC has led to a reexamination of treatment approaches, and clinical trials are currently investigating strategies to deintensify treatment to reduce acute and late toxicity while preserving efficacy. This is of particular interest in low-risk patients. Unfortunately, patients with HPV-negative tumors still have high rates of locoregional failure and more efficacious treatments are required. This review of oropharyngeal SCC focuses on current and investigational treatment strategies in patients with both HPV-positive and HPV-negative oropharyngeal SCC.

Improved survival using intensity-modulated radiation therapy in head and neck cancers: a SEER-Medicare analysis

BACKGROUND

Intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) is a technologically advanced, and more expensive, method of delivering radiation therapy with a goal of minimizing toxicity. It has been widely adopted for head and neck cancers; however, its comparative impact on cancer control and survival remains unknown. The goal of this analysis was to compare the cause-specific survival (CSS) for patients with head and neck cancers treated with IMRT versus non-IMRT from 1999 to 2007.

METHODS

CSS was determined using the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER)-Medicare database and analyzed regarding treatment details, including the use of IMRT versus non-IMRT, using claims data. Hazard ratios (HRs) were estimated by the frailty model with a propensity score matching cohort and instrumental variable analysis.

RESULTS

A total of 3172 patients were identified. With a median follow-up of 40 months, patients treated with IMRT had a statistically significant improvement in CSS compared with those treated with non-IMRT (84.1% versus 66.0%; P < .001). When each anatomic subsite was analyzed separately, all respective subgroups of patients treated with IMRT had better CSS than those treated with non-IMRT. In multivariable survival analyses, patients treated with IMRT were associated with better CSS (HR = 0.72, 95% confidence interval = 0.59 to 0.90 for propensity score matching; HR = 0.60, 95% confidence interval = 0.41 to 0.88 for instrumental variable analysis).

CONCLUSIONS

Patients with head and neck cancers who were treated with IMRT experienced significant improvements in CSS compared with patients treated with non-IMRT techniques. This suggests there may be benefits to IMRT in cancer outcomes, in addition to toxicity reduction, for this patient population.

The treatment outcome and radiation-induced toxicity for patients with head and neck carcinoma in the IMRT era: a systematic review with dosimetric and clinical parameters

A descriptive analysis was made in terms of the related radiation induced acute and late mucositis and xerostomia along with survival and tumor control rates (significance level at 0.016, bonferroni correction), for irradiation in head and neck carcinomas with either 2D Radiation Therapy (2DRT) and 3D conformal (3DCRT) or Intensity Modulated Radiation Therapy (IMRT). The mean score of grade > II xerostomia for IMRT versus 2-3D RT was 0.31 ± 0.23 and 0.56 ± 0.23, respectively (Mann Whitney, P < 0.001). The parotid-dose for IMRT versus 2-3D RT was 29.56 ± 5.45 and 50.73 ± 6.79, respectively (Mann Whitney, P = 0.016). The reported mean parotid-gland doses were significantly correlated with late xerostomia (spearman test, rho = 0.5013, P < 0.001). A trend was noted for the superiority of IMRT concerning the acute oral mucositis. The 3-year overall survival for either IMRT or 2-3DRT was 89.5% and 82.7%, respectively (P = 0.026, Kruskal-Wallis test). The mean 3-year locoregional control rate was 83.6% (range: 70-97%) and 74.4 (range: 61-82%), respectively (P = 0.025, Kruskal-Wallis). In conclusion, no significant differences in terms of locoregional control, overall survival and acute mucositis could be noted, while late xerostomia is definitely higher in 2-3D RT versus IMRT. Patients with head and neck carcinoma should be referred preferably to IMRT techniques.

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.

Intensity-modulated radiation therapy as primary treatment for oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma

BACKGROUND

Over the past decade, intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) has gained widespread use in the treatment of head and neck cancer.

METHODS

All patients with squamous cell carcinoma of the oropharynx treated with primary IMRT with or without chemotherapy over a 5-year period were reviewed. Outcomes and morbidity were analyzed and compared with previously published data.

RESULTS

In all, 170 patients were included in the analysis. The 3-year local control, locoregional control, disease-free survival, and overall survival rates were 92%, 91%, 80%, and 87%, respectively. Feeding tubes were present in 55% of patients during treatment, but remained in only 1% 2 years following treatment.

CONCLUSIONS

This study confirms that IMRT yields excellent treatment outcomes for oropharyngeal carcinoma. Although acute toxicity remains a problem, late toxicity rates are low and long-term feeding tube dependence is rare compared with conventional radiation therapy.

Osteoradionecrosis and radiation dose to the mandible in patients with oropharyngeal cancer

PURPOSE

To determine the association between radiation doses delivered to the mandible and the occurrence of osteoradionecrosis (ORN).

METHODS AND MATERIALS

We reviewed the records of 402 oropharyngeal cancer patients with stage T1 or T2 disease treated with definitive radiation between January 2000 and October 2008 for the occurrence of ORN. Demographic and treatment variables were compared between patients with ORN and those without. To examine the dosimetric relationship further, a nested case-control comparison was performed. One to 2 ORN-free patients were selected to match each ORN patient by age, sex, radiation type, treatment year, and cancer subsite. Detailed radiation treatment plans for the ORN cases and matched controls were reviewed. Mann-Whitney test and conditional logistic regression were used to compare relative volumes of the mandible exposed to doses ranging from 10 Gy-60 Gy in 10-Gy increments.

RESULTS

In 30 patients (7.5%), ORN developed during a median follow-up time of 31 months, including 6 patients with grade 4 ORN that required major surgery. The median time to develop ORN was 8 months (range, 0-71 months). Detailed radiation treatment plans were available for 25 of the 30 ORN patients and 40 matched ORN-free patients. In the matched case-control analysis, there was a statistically significant difference between the volumes of mandible in the 2 groups receiving doses between 50 Gy (V50) and 60 Gy (V60). The most notable difference was seen at V50, with a P value of .02 in the multivariate model after adjustment for the matching variables and dental status (dentate or with extraction).

CONCLUSIONS

V50 and V60 saw the most significant differences between the ORN group and the comparison group. Minimizing the percent mandibular volume exposed to 50 Gy may reduce ORN risk.

[Intensity modulated radiotherapy for head and neck cancers: ethics and patients selection]

PURPOSE

Intensity modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) allows a better coverage of the target volume and a better saving of organs at risk with a decrease of toxicity in head and neck cancers. It requires more human labor and materials compared to conformational radiotherapy. If they are insufficient, a selection of the patients receiving IMRT may be necessary, raising an ethical problem.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

We collected the motives guiding the choice of the technique of radiotherapy for head and neck cancers during a month of physicists' shortage.

RESULTS

Nineteen patients received IMRT and eight conformational radiotherapy. Conformational irradiation was chosen in palliative and postsurgery treatments, to reduce delay, in laryngeal tumors and re-irradiation. IMRT was preferred for complex target volumes and the localizations at risk of important xerostomia following conformational radiotherapy. These choices were confronted with the bioethics criteria of Beauchamp and Childress. The beneficence justified the use of IMRT or conformational radiotherapy depending on the circumstances. The non-maleficence attempted to decrease the toxicity with IMRT. Justice was questioned by the selection. The autonomy of patients was not totally respected in the choice.

CONCLUSION

To help in the choice of the patients receiving an IMRT in a crisis situation, we proposed a hierarchical organization of selection criteria: complex volumes close to critical organs at risk, localization with high risk of xerostomia, long life expectancy and postoperative delay constraints.

Patterns of disease recurrence following treatment of oropharyngeal cancer with intensity modulated radiation therapy

PURPOSE

To report mature results of a large cohort of patients diagnosed with squamous cell carcinoma of the oropharynx who were treated with intensity modulated radiation therapy (IMRT).

METHODS AND MATERIALS

The database of patients irradiated at The University of Texas, M.D. Anderson Cancer Center was searched for patients diagnosed with oropharyngeal cancer and treated with IMRT between 2000 and 2007. A retrospective review of outcome data was performed.

RESULTS

The cohort consisted of 776 patients. One hundred fifty-nine patients (21%) were current smokers, 279 (36%) former smokers, and 337 (43%) never smokers. T and N categories and American Joint Committee on Cancer group stages were distributed as follows: T1/x, 288 (37%); T2, 288 (37%); T3, 113 (15%); T4, 87 (11%); N0, 88(12%); N1/x, 140 (18%); N2a, 101 (13%); N2b, 269 (35%); N2c, 122 (16%); and N3, 56 (7%); stage I, 18(2%); stage II, 40(5%); stage III, 150(19%); and stage IV, 568(74%). Seventy-one patients (10%) presented with nodes in level IV. Median follow-up was 54 months. The 5-year overall survival, locoregional control, and overall recurrence-free survival rates were 84%, 90%, and 82%, respectively. Primary site recurrence developed in 7% of patients, and neck recurrence with primary site control in 3%. We could only identify 12 patients (2%) who had locoregional recurrence outside the high-dose target volumes. Poorer survival rates were observed in current smokers, patients with larger primary (T) tumors and lower neck disease.

CONCLUSIONS

Patients with oropharyngeal cancer treated with IMRT have excellent disease control. Locoregional recurrence was uncommon, and most often occurred in the high dose volumes. Parotid sparing was accomplished in nearly all patients without compromising tumor coverage.

Clinical evaluation of intensity-modulated radiotherapy for head and neck cancers

Radiotherapy and surgery are the principal curative modalities in treatment of head and neck cancer. Conventional two-dimensional and three-dimensional conformal radiotherapy result in significant side effects and altered quality of life. Intensity-modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) can spare the normal tissues, while delivering a curative dose to the tumour-bearing tissues. This article reviews the current role of IMRT in head and neck cancer from the point of view of normal tissue sparing, and also reviews the current published literature by individual head and neck cancer subsites. In addition, we briefly discuss the role of image guidance in head and neck IMRT, and future directions in this area.

Robotic surgery for oropharynx cancer: promise, challenges, and future directions

Epidemiologic studies have shown a rise in the incidence of oropharyngeal cancer without a corresponding increase in oral cavity cancers. These diverging trends are explained by human papilloma virus, which preferentially affects the oropharynx. Cancers resulting from this viral infection bear a better prognosis than those that are smoking-related. Treatment of oropharyngeal cancers has typically involved the use of radiation and chemotherapy to avoid the morbidity of mandibular splitting surgery. The use of transoral robotic surgery (TORS) has obviated the need for large-scale open approaches but still provides the pathologic staging data that is unavailable from non-surgical approaches. Although TORS is in its infancy, early functional and oncologic outcome data are promising. The complex management of oropharyngeal cancers should utilize the available treatment modalities to optimize outcomes and stratify patients to different treatment based on risk status.

Unilateral radiotherapy for the treatment of tonsil cancer

PURPOSE

To assess, through a retrospective review, clinical outcomes of patients with squamous cell carcinoma of the tonsil treated at the M. D. Anderson Cancer Center with unilateral radiotherapy techniques that irradiate the involved tonsil region and ipsilateral neck only.

METHODS AND MATERIALS

Of 901 patients with newly diagnosed squamous cell carcinoma of the tonsil treated with radiotherapy at our institution, we identified 102 that were treated using unilateral radiotherapy techniques. All patients had their primary site of disease restricted to the tonsillar fossa or anterior pillar, with <1 cm involvement of the soft palate. Patients had TX (n = 17 patients), T1 (n = 52), or T2 (n = 33) disease, with Nx (n = 3), N0 (n = 33), N1 (n = 23), N2a (n = 21), or N2b (n = 22) neck disease.

RESULTS

Sixty-one patients (60%) underwent diagnostic tonsillectomy before radiotherapy. Twenty-seven patients (26%) underwent excision of a cervical lymph node or neck dissection before radiotherapy. Median follow-up for surviving patients was 38 months. Locoregional control at the primary site and ipsilateral neck was 100%. Two patients experienced contralateral nodal recurrence (2%). The 5-year overall survival and disease-free survival rates were 95% and 96%, respectively. The 5-year freedom from contralateral nodal recurrence rate was 96%. Nine patients required feeding tubes during therapy. Of the 2 patients with contralateral recurrence, 1 experienced an isolated neck recurrence and was salvaged with contralateral neck dissection only and remains alive and free of disease. The other patient presented with a contralateral base of tongue tumor and involved cervical lymph node, which may have represented a second primary tumor, and died of disease.

CONCLUSIONS

Unilateral radiotherapy for patients with TX-T2, N0-N2b primary tonsil carcinoma results in high rates of disease control, with low rates of contralateral nodal failure and a low incidence of acute toxicity requiring gastrostomy.

Adaptive radiotherapy for head-and-neck cancer: initial clinical outcomes from a prospective trial

PURPOSE

To present pilot toxicity and survival outcomes for a prospective trial investigating adaptive radiotherapy (ART) for oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma.

METHODS AND MATERIALS

A total of 24 patients were enrolled in an institutional review board-approved clinical trial; data for 22 of these patients were analyzed. Daily CT-guided setup and deformable image registration permitted serial mapping of clinical target volumes and avoidance structures for ART planning. Primary site was base of tongue in 15 patients, tonsil in 6 patient, and glossopharyngeal sulcus in 1 patient. Twenty patients (91%) had American Joint Committee on Cancer (AJCC) Stage IV disease. T stage distribution was 2 T1, 12 T2, 3 T3, 5 T4. N stage distribution was 1 N0, 2 N1, 5 N2a, 12 N2b, and 2 N2c. Of the patients, 21 (95%) received systemic therapy.

RESULTS

With a 31-month median follow-up (range, 13-45 months), there has been no primary site failure and 1 nodal relapse, yielding 100% local and 95% regional disease control at 2 years. Baseline tumor size correlated with absolute volumetric treatment response (p = 0.018). Parotid volumetric change correlated with duration of feeding tube placement (p = 0.025). Acute toxicity was comparable to that observed with conventional intensity-modulated radiotherapy (IMRT). Chronic toxicity and functional outcomes beyond 1 year were tabulated.

CONCLUSION

This is the first prospective evaluation of morbidity and survival outcomes in patients with locally advanced head-and-neck cancer treated with automated adaptive replanning. ART can provide dosimetric benefit with only one or two mid-treatment replanning events. Our preliminary clinical outcomes document functional recovery and preservation of disease control at 1-year follow-up and beyond.