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Rosen R, Bodnar M, Randolph J, Bailey CJ, Nickel C, Katsoulakis E, Mifsud M. Risk, prevention, screening and management of carotid artery stenosis in head & neck cancer patients-An evidence based review. Oral Oncol 2024; 156:106876. [PMID: 38908097 DOI: 10.1016/j.oraloncology.2024.106876] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2024] [Revised: 05/12/2024] [Accepted: 05/28/2024] [Indexed: 06/24/2024]
Abstract
Our review aims to clarify the incidence of carotid artery stenosis, risks of development, screening, management, and primary prevention strategies documented in the literature after radiation therapy for head and neck cancers. The high prevalence of carotid stenosis after radiation therapy for head and neck cancers has made surveillance and risk stratification critical. In addition to general cardiovascular risk factors such as smoking, diabetes, and dyslipidemia, risk factors for carotid artery stenosis after head and neck radiation included total plaque score, radiotherapy use and dosage, length of time after radiotherapy, and age greater than 50. Cancer subtype, namely nasopharyngeal cancer, may be correlated with increased risk as well, though contrasting results have been found. Interestingly, however, no significant relationship has been found between radiotherapy dose and stroke risk. Surgical management of post-radiation carotid stenosis is similar to that of stenosis unrelated to radiation, with carotid endarterectomy considered to be the gold standard treatment and carotid artery stenting being an acceptable, less-invasive alternative. Medical management of these patients has not been well-studied, but antiplatelet therapy, statins, and blood pressure control may be beneficial. The mainstay of screening for radiation-induced stenosis has been Doppler ultrasound, with measurement of changes in the intima-media thickness being a primary marker of disease development. A literature review was carried out using the MeSH terms "Carotid Artery Stenosis," "Head and Neck Neoplasms," and "Radiotherapy."
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Jackson Randolph
- Georgetown University Medical Center, Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, USA
| | - Charles J Bailey
- University of South Florida Morsani College of Medicine, Division of Vascular & Endovascular Surgery, USA
| | - Christopher Nickel
- University of South Florida Morsani College of Medicine, Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, USA
| | - Evangelia Katsoulakis
- University of South Florida Morsani College of Medicine, Department of Radiation Oncology, USA
| | - Matthew Mifsud
- University of South Florida Morsani College of Medicine, Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, USA.
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Monaghan NP, Duckett KA, Nguyen SA, Newman JG, Albergotti WG, Kejner AE. Vascular events in patients with head and neck cancer: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Head Neck 2024; 46:1557-1572. [PMID: 38334324 DOI: 10.1002/hed.27675] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/01/2023] [Revised: 01/02/2024] [Accepted: 01/29/2024] [Indexed: 02/10/2024] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To assess the incidence of vascular events in patients with head and neck cancer. REVIEW METHODS Primary studies identified through April 2023. Meta-analysis was performed. RESULTS There were 146 studies included in the systematic review. Rates of events were collected in the overall group, those with chemoprophylaxis, and those that underwent surgery, radiation, or chemotherapy. Of 1 184 160 patients, 4.3% had a vascular event. Radiation therapy had highest risk of overall events and stroke when compared to surgery and chemotherapy. Chemotherapy had a higher risk of stroke and overall events when compared to surgery. CONCLUSIONS Vascular events occur in 4%-5% of patients with head and neck cancer. Our data does not support the use of routine anticoagulation. Patients undergoing radiation therapy had the highest frequency of events.
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Affiliation(s)
- Neil P Monaghan
- Department of Otolaryngology, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, South Carolina, USA
- College of Medicine, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, South Carolina, USA
| | - Kelsey A Duckett
- Department of Otolaryngology, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, South Carolina, USA
- College of Medicine, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, South Carolina, USA
| | - Shaun A Nguyen
- Department of Otolaryngology, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, South Carolina, USA
| | - Jason G Newman
- Department of Otolaryngology, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, South Carolina, USA
| | - W Greer Albergotti
- Department of Otolaryngology, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, South Carolina, USA
| | - Alexandra E Kejner
- Department of Otolaryngology, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, South Carolina, USA
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Mukherjee A, Wiener HW, Griffin RL, Lenneman C, Chatterjee A, Nabell LM, Lewis CE, Shrestha S. Traditional risk factors and cancer-related factors associated with cardiovascular disease risk in head and neck cancer patients. Front Cardiovasc Med 2023; 9:1024846. [PMID: 36712282 PMCID: PMC9877509 DOI: 10.3389/fcvm.2022.1024846] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/22/2022] [Accepted: 12/28/2022] [Indexed: 01/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Risk of incident cardiovascular disease (CVD) in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) patients is under-reported. We assessed the association of HNSCC-related factors and traditional risk factors with 1- and 5-year CVD risk in HNSCC patients without prevalent CVD at cancer diagnosis. Methods A clinical cohort of 1,829 HNSCC patients diagnosed between 2012 and 2018, at a National Cancer Institute (NCI)-designated cancer center was included. Information on HNSCC-related factors [HNSCC anatomical subsite, stage at diagnosis, treatment, and tumor human papillomavirus (HPV) status] were extracted from the tumor registry. Data on traditional risk factors (hypertension, dyslipidemia, diabetes, tobacco smoking status, and obesity) were extracted from the electronic health records system (EHR) at baseline (HNSCC diagnosis). A composite of ischemic heart disease, heart failure, and ischemic stroke was the outcome of interest in time to event analysis. Hazard ratio (HR) (95% CI) were reported with death as a competing risk. Results In patients diagnosed with HNSCC, 10.61% developed incident CVD events by 1-year post cancer diagnosis. One-year CVD risk was lower in patients using antihypertensive medications at baseline, compared to patients without baseline hypertension [HR (95% CI): 0.41 (0.24-0.61)]. One-year CVD risk was high in patients receiving HNSCC surgery. Patients receiving radiation therapy had a higher 5-year CVD risk than surgery patients [HR (95% CI): 2.17 (1.31-3.04)]. Patients using antihypertensive medications had a lower 5-year CVD risk than patients without baseline hypertension [HR (95% CI): 0.45 (0.22-0.75)]. Older age and diabetes were associated with increased 1- and 5-year CVD risk. HPV-negative patients were older (p 0.006) and had a higher 5-year cumulative incidence of CVD (p 0.013) than HPV-positive patients. Conclusion Traditional risk factors and cancer-related factors are associated with CVD risk in HNSCC patients. Future research should investigate the role of antihypertensive medications in reducing CVD risk in HNSCC patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amrita Mukherjee
- Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, University of Alabama at Birmingham School of Public Health, Birmingham, AL, United States,Department of Research & Evaluation, Kaiser Permanente Southern California, Pasadena, CA, United States,*Correspondence: Amrita Mukherjee,
| | - Howard W. Wiener
- Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, University of Alabama at Birmingham School of Public Health, Birmingham, AL, United States
| | - Russell L. Griffin
- Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, University of Alabama at Birmingham School of Public Health, Birmingham, AL, United States
| | - Carrie Lenneman
- Division of Cardiovascular Disease, University of Alabama at Birmingham School of Medicine, Birmingham, AL, United States
| | - Arka Chatterjee
- Department of Medicine, Sarver Heart Center, University of Arizona Health Sciences, Tucson, AZ, United States
| | - Lisle M. Nabell
- Division of Hematology and Oncology, University of Alabama at Birmingham School of Medicine, Birmingham, AL, United States
| | - Cora E. Lewis
- Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, University of Alabama at Birmingham School of Public Health, Birmingham, AL, United States
| | - Sadeep Shrestha
- Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, University of Alabama at Birmingham School of Public Health, Birmingham, AL, United States
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Leboucher A, Sotton S, Gambin Flandrin I, Magné N. Head and neck radiotherapy-induced carotid toxicity: Pathophysiological concepts and clinical syndromes. Oral Oncol 2022; 129:105868. [DOI: 10.1016/j.oraloncology.2022.105868] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/02/2021] [Revised: 03/27/2022] [Accepted: 04/12/2022] [Indexed: 01/17/2023]
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Reinders FCJ, Heijst TCFV, Mases J, Terhaard CHJ, Doornaert PAH, Philippens MEP, Raaijmakers CPJ. Magnetic resonance guided elective neck irradiation targeting individual lymph nodes: A new concept. Phys Imaging Radiat Oncol 2022; 20:76-81. [PMID: 35169639 PMCID: PMC8829887 DOI: 10.1016/j.phro.2021.10.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/18/2021] [Revised: 10/29/2021] [Accepted: 10/29/2021] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Individual elective lymph nodes can be identified using multiple Dixon T2-weighted turbo spin echo with fat suppression. Magnetic Resonance guided individual lymph node irradiation results in lower dose to the organs at risk. Especially the submandibular glands, carotid arteries and thyroid can be spared. The magnetic field on the magnetic resonance imaging - linear accelerator did not lead to increased skin dose depositions.
Background and purpose Conventional elective neck irradiation (ENI) in head and neck cancer consists of radiotherapy (RT) to the regional lymph node (LN) levels contoured on computed tomography. Hybrid Magnetic Resonance (MR) - RT modalities, such as combined magnetic resonance imaging - linear accelerators (MRLs), might enable new ENI strategies in which individual non-suspect lymph nodes (i-LNs) are targeted. In this treatment planning study, new MR-based strategies targeting i-LNs (i-ENI) were compared to conventional treatment. Materials and methods All i-LNs were delineated on MR images of ten retrospectively selected patients with T2-4aN0M0 laryngeal cancer. Three strategies were considered. Strategy A: Conventional ENI delivered with a conventional linear accelerator (35x 1.55 Gy). Strategy B: MRL-based i-ENI (35x 1.55 Gy) to the individual lymph nodes including a background dose to the conventional elective neck volumes (35x 1.03 Gy). Strategy C: Same as Strategy B, but without background dose. In all plans the dose prescription to the primary tumor was 35x 2 Gy. Mean dose (Dmean) reductions in the organs at risk (OAR) were compared using the Wilcoxon signed rank test. Results Compared to conventional ENI (strategy A), significant Dmean reductions of 6.0 Gy and 8.0 Gy were observed in the submandibular glands, of 9.4 Gy and 13 Gy in the carotid arteries and of 9.9 Gy and 19.4 Gy in the thyroid for strategy B and C, respectively. Large inter-patient variations of Dmean reductions were observed in all OARs. Conclusion MRL-based i-ENI is a new promising concept that could reduce the mean dose to OARs in the neck significantly for patients with laryngeal cancer.
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Key Words
- CA, carotid arteries
- Dmean, mean dose
- ENI, elective neck irradiation
- Head and neck neoplasms
- LNs, lymph nodes
- Lymph nodes
- MRL, magnetic resonance imaging linear accelerator
- Magnetic resonance imaging
- OAR, organ at risk
- OC, oral cavity (OC)
- PCM, pharynx constrictor muscle
- PG, parotid gland
- Radiotherapy
- SMG, submandibular gland
- Squamous cell carcinoma of head and neck
- i-ENI, individual non-suspect lymph node elective neck irradiation
- i-LNs, individual lymph nodes
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Affiliation(s)
- Floris C J Reinders
- Department of Radiotherapy, University Medical Centre Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | | | - Joel Mases
- Department of Radiotherapy, University Medical Centre Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Chris H J Terhaard
- Department of Radiotherapy, University Medical Centre Utrecht, the Netherlands
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Screening for irradiation vasculopathy by intima-media thickness sonography in head and neck cancer patients. Eur Arch Otorhinolaryngol 2020; 278:2017-2026. [PMID: 32870365 PMCID: PMC8131284 DOI: 10.1007/s00405-020-06301-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/07/2020] [Accepted: 08/15/2020] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
Purpose Post-irradiation vasculopathy is a severe form of atherosclerosis and affects the prognosis of head and neck cancer survivors. Sonographic intima-media thickness (IMT) precedes stenosis, plaque formation, and cerebrovascular events. Therefore, IMT may be a valuable screening marker for post-irradiation toxicity. However, the critical irradiation dose and the onset of IMT increase remain unclear. Methods The cross-sectional study analysed the carotid artery IMT in 96 irradiated patients and 41 controls regarding irradiation dose, post-irradiation-interval, and cardiovascular risk factors. Distinct irradiation doses to the tumour side and the contralateral hemineck enabled detection of dose depended effects within one patient and control of risk factors. Results Radiotherapy caused a dose-dependent increase in IMT. The toxicity did not have saturation effects for > 60 Gy. The IMT increase occurred in short-term following radiotherapy and the risk for a pathological value (> 0.9 mm) rose significantly. The correlation between IMT and radiotherapy was comparable to established cardiovascular risk factors. Conclusion Radiotherapists should consider the additional toxicity of high doses for non-metastatic head and neck cancer. If neck metastases require radiotherapy with boost, IMT measurement is suitable for early detection of carotid artery damage.
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Evaluation of radiation – Induced carotid artery stenosis after supraclavicular irradiation in patients with breast carcinoma. THE EGYPTIAN JOURNAL OF RADIOLOGY AND NUCLEAR MEDICINE 2018. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ejrnm.2018.05.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
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Kim BJ, Kang HG, Lee SW, Jung J, Lee MH, Kang DW, Kim JS, Kwon SU. Changes in the Common Carotid Artery after Radiotherapy: Wall Thickness, Calcification, and Atherosclerosis. J Clin Neurol 2018; 14:35-42. [PMID: 29629538 PMCID: PMC5765254 DOI: 10.3988/jcn.2018.14.1.35] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/23/2017] [Revised: 08/25/2017] [Accepted: 08/29/2017] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE Since the long-term survival rate has improved in laryngeal cancer patients who receive radiotherapy, concerns about postradiation complications (including carotid atherosclerosis) have increased. We followed changes in the common carotid artery (CCA) after radiotherapy and identified the underlying risk factors. METHODS Consecutive patients with laryngeal cancer who underwent radiotherapy between January 1999 and December 2009 and who had received computed tomography (CT) both pre- and postradiotherapy were enrolled. Changes in the wall thickness and in the vessel and lumen areas as well as the presence of calcification or atherosclerosis were investigated. Demographics and risk factors were compared between patients with and without atherosclerosis at follow-up CT. RESULTS In total, 125 patients were enrolled. The wall thickness had increased and the lumen area had decreased several months after radiotherapy. These changes were not associated with vascular risk factors and were not progressive. Calcification and atherosclerosis were observed in 37 (29.6%) and 71 (56.8%) patients, respectively. Diabetes was associated with calcification (p=0.02). The prevalence of hyperlipidemia was higher in patients with atherosclerosis (28.2% vs. 11.1%, p=0.02) and for a longer period postradiation [62.7±32.1 vs. 40.0±24.2 months (mean±SD), p<0.001]. Atherosclerosis occurred mostly in the middle portion of the CCA (n=31, 24.6%), followed by the proximal CCA at the intrathoracic level (n=26, 20.6%) and the distal CCA (n=6, 4.8%). Positive remodeling was also observed, but this was less common in patients with calcification (p=0.02). CONCLUSIONS Various types of postradiation changes occur in the CCA and can be easily observed in postradiation CT. The prevalence and burden of postradiation atherosclerosis increased in a close relationship with baseline cholesterol levels and the time after radiotherapy. Postradiation atherosclerosis was observed at unusual sites of the CCA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bum Joon Kim
- Department of Neurology, Kyung Hee University Hospital, Kyung Hee University School of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
| | - Hyun Goo Kang
- Department of Neurology, Chosun University Hospital, Gwangju, Korea
| | - Sang Wook Lee
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Asan Medical Center, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
| | - Jinhong Jung
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Asan Medical Center, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
| | - Min Hwan Lee
- Department of Neurology, Asan Medical Center, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
| | - Dong Wha Kang
- Department of Neurology, Asan Medical Center, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
| | - Jong S Kim
- Department of Neurology, Asan Medical Center, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
| | - Sun U Kwon
- Department of Neurology, Asan Medical Center, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
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Samuels MA, Freedman LM, Elsayyad N. Intensity-modulated radiotherapy for early glottic cancer: transition to a new standard of care? Future Oncol 2016; 12:2615-2630. [DOI: 10.2217/fon-2016-0156] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
For decades, the standard of care for radiation treatment of early larynx cancers has been conventional treatment using opposed lateral fields encompassing the larynx and overlying neck structures, including the adjacent carotid arteries. While intensity-modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) has replaced conventional radiotherapy for all other head/neck cancer situations, the use of IMRT to treat early glottic cancers remains controversial. The article reviews the published experience with IMRT for this clinical situation and provides a detailed review of the literature on radiation-induced carotid toxicity and how it might apply to the controversy. Finally, we discuss whether the radiation oncology community should transition to IMRT as a new standard of care for the treatment of early glottic cancers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael A Samuels
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Miami/Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center, Miami, FL, USA
| | - Laura M Freedman
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Miami/Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center, Miami, FL, USA
| | - Nagy Elsayyad
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Miami/Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center, Miami, FL, USA
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Progression of carotid intima media thickness after radiotherapy: A long-term prospective cohort study. Radiother Oncol 2014; 113:359-63. [DOI: 10.1016/j.radonc.2014.10.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/17/2014] [Revised: 10/21/2014] [Accepted: 10/24/2014] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
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