Summary of major radiation fractionation and chemotherapy trials for organ preservation therapy in locally advanced head and neck squamous cell carcinoma

Late Feeding Tube Dependency in Head and Neck Cancer Patients Treated with Definitive Radiation Therapy and Concurrent Systemic Therapy

Objective

The study aimed to evaluate the impact of late swallowing dysfunction leading to percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG) tube dependence on the overall survival (OS) in a cohort of locally advanced head and neck cancer patients treated and cured with definitive radiotherapy (RT) and concurrent systemic therapy (CST). 

Materials and methods

A total of 62 patients with locally advanced head and neck cancer were included in the analysis based on the following selection criteria: stage III, IVA, or IVB disease, treated with definitive RT and CST, no major head and neck surgery, no evidence of local or distant recurrent disease, and at least one post-RT modified barium swallow study. Patients were classified as PEG dependent or PEG independent at the time of the last follow-up. Estimates of OS were calculated using the Kaplan-Meier method. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed to evaluate the impact of various clinical factors on OS.

Results

The median follow-up was 48 months (range: 7.6-235 months). The five-year OS was 64.3% in the PEG-dependent group and 86.1% in the PEG-independent group (p=0.022). Age over 70 at diagnosis was also associated with poorer OS (p=0.044). On univariate analysis, PEG dependency maintained a significantly worse OS (hazard ratio [HR]: 2.59; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.11-5.99, p=0.028). On multivariate analysis, PEG dependency (HR: 4.25; 95% CI: 1.33-13.62; p=0.015), advanced N stage (HR: 4.74; 95% CI: 1.17-19.26, p=0.035), and older age at diagnosis (HR: 4.37; 95% CI: 1.21-15.84; p=0.025) were significantly associated with worse OS.

Conclusions

Late PEG dependency is associated with poor OS in head and neck cancer patients cured with definitive RT and CST. Interventions designed to help head and neck cancer patients maintain swallowing function may result in improved outcomes.

A Review of Controversial Issues in the Management of Head and Neck Cancer: A Swiss Multidisciplinary and Multi-Institutional Patterns of Care Study-Part 2 (Radiation Oncology)

Background: The Head and Neck Cancer Working Group of Swiss Group for Clinical Cancer Research (SAKK) has investigated the level of consensus (LOC) and discrepancy in everyday practice of diagnosis and treatment in head and neck cancer.

Materials and Methods: An online survey was iteratively generated with 10 Swiss university and teaching hospitals. LOC below 50% was defined as no agreement, while higher LOC were arbitrarily categorized as low (51–74%), moderate (75–84%), and high (≥85%).

Results: Any LOC was achieved in 62% of topics (n = 60). High, moderate, and low LOC were found in 18, 20, and 23%, respectively. Regarding Head and Neck Surgery, Radiation Oncology, Medical Oncology, and biomarkers, LOC was achieved in 50, 57, 83, and 43%, respectively.

Conclusions: Consensus on clinical topics is rather low for surgeons and radiation oncologists. The questions discussed might highlight discrepancies, stimulate standardization of practice, and prioritize topics for future clinical research.

Endoscopic Management of Postradiation Dysphagia in Head and Neck Cancer Patients: A Systematic Review

OBJECTIVES

To systematically review the success rate and safety profile of the available endoscopic surgical options for radiation-induced dysphagia in head and neck cancer patients following organ preservation treatment, including upper esophageal sphincter (UES) dilation, cricopharyngeus (CP) myotomy (CPM), and CP intramuscular botulinum toxin (Botox) injection.

METHODS

A search of MEDLINE, Scopus, Google Scholar, and Cochrane databases was done to identify articles published between January 1980 and December 2017. Pediatric series, foreign language articles, series with Zenker's diverticulum or following primary surgical treatment including laryngectomy, open UES/CP surgery, or samples with fewer than 5 patients were excluded.

RESULTS

An initial search identified 539 articles. All titles and abstracts were reviewed. One hundred and sixteen potentially relevant articles were inspected in more detail, and 14 retrospective studies met eligibility criteria. Dilation group included 10 studies on anterograde and/or retrograde dilation, with an overall 208 patients. Success rate ranged from 42% to 100%. The endoscopic CPM group included 3 studies with a total of 36 patients, and the success rate ranged from 27% to 90%. In the Botox group, 1 one study with 20 patients met our inclusion criteria, with an overall 65% success rate (13/20). Major complications were only reported in the dilation group, which included esophageal perforation and death.

CONCLUSIONS

The lack of consistency across trials indicates insufficient evidence for guiding clinical practice. This systematic review suggests the need for greater standardization of outcomes and instruments. Future prospective evaluation should use validated patient-rated and clinician-rated assessment tools to optimally measure postoperative swallowing outcomes of head and neck cancer dysphagic patients following organ preservation therapy.

Twice-daily Radiation for Metastatic Malignant Melanoma: A Different Approach Resulting in a Significant Response

The aim of this study was to discern an abscopal effect by modifying the delivery of radiation for metastatic malignant melanoma. The effect would be directly evident with visible/radiographic regression of the disease and indirectly shown with an overall extension in survival and potential cure. Patients with locally advanced, metastatic palpable, or radiographic visible metastatic malignant melanoma were treated with twice-daily radiation therapy using a dose range of 100-135 centigray (cGy) per fraction. A 100% complete response/continued regression with no recurrence was achieved within the region of delivery for every patient so treated. Of those alive at three years, few demonstrate a progression of the disease. These results were achieved without the use of immunotherapy, created few side effects, and were accomplished at a fraction of the alternative’s cost. Evidence of an immune-mediated response (abscopal effect) was commonly seen. Treatment was administered within acceptable dose ranges, historically used twice daily for other malignancies known to be sensitive to the effects of radiation.

Systematic Review and Meta-analysis of Conventionally Fractionated Concurrent Chemoradiotherapy versus Altered Fractionation Radiotherapy Alone in the Definitive Management of Locoregionally Advanced Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma

AIMS

Treatment intensification either by using concurrent chemoradiotherapy (CCRT) or altered fractionation radiotherapy (AFRT) improves outcomes of locoregionally advanced head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC). The superiority of one approach over the other, however, remains to be firmly established. The aim of the present study was to compare outcomes of CCRT versus AFRT in the definitive non-surgical management of locoregionally advanced HNSCC for evidence-based decision making.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

An electronic search of Medline via PubMed was conducted with no language, year, or publication status restrictions. The Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL) and Database of Abstracts of Reviews of Effectiveness (DARE) were also searched electronically. Only randomised controlled trials assigning HNSCC patients randomly to conventionally fractionated CCRT or AFRT alone were included. Data were extracted independently by two reviewers and pooled using the Cochrane methodology for meta-analysis and expressed as a hazard ratio with 95% confidence intervals. Overall survival was the primary outcome of interest, whereas disease-free survival, locoregional control and toxicity were secondary end points.

RESULTS

Five randomised controlled trials (involving 1117 patients and 627 deaths) directly comparing conventionally fractionated CCRT with AFRT alone were included. The risk of bias in included studies was low for efficacy outcomes, but high for toxicity outcomes. The overall pooled hazard ratio of death was 0.73 (95% confidence interval = 0.62-0.86), which significantly favoured conventionally fractionated CCRT over AFRT alone (P < 0.0001). Similarly, disease-free survival (hazard ratio = 0.79, 95% confidence interval = 0.68-0.92; P = 0.002) and locoregional control (hazard ratio = 0.71, 95% confidence interval = 0.59-0.84; P < 0.0001) were significantly improved with CCRT. There were no significant differences in the incidence of severe acute toxicity (dermatitis and mucositis) between the two approaches of treatment intensification. Late xerostomia was significantly increased with CCRT. Significant haematological toxicity and nephrotoxicity were seen exclusively with chemotherapy.

CONCLUSION

There is moderate quality evidence that conventionally fractionated CCRT improves survival outcomes compared with AFRT alone in the definitive radiotherapeutic management of locoregionally advanced HNSCC. No form of acceleration can potentially compensate fully for the lack of concurrent chemotherapy.