Definitive intensity-modulated radiotherapy concurrent with systemic therapy for oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma: Outcomes from an integrated regional Australian cancer centre

A proposed framework for the implementation of head and neck cancer treatment at a new cancer center from a radiation oncology perspective

BACKGROUND

Establishing a new head and neck cancer (HNC) treatment center requires multidisciplinary team management and expertise. To our knowledge, there are no clear recommendations or guidelines in the literature for the commencement of HNC radiation therapy (RT) at a new cancer center. We propose a novel framework outlining the necessary components required to set-up a new radiation therapy HNC treatment.

METHODS

We reviewed the infrastructure and methodology in the commencement of HNC radiation therapy in our cancer care center and invited several external, experienced metropolitan head and neck radiation oncologists to develop a novel consensus guideline that may be used by new RT centers to treat HNC. Recommendations were presented to our internal and external staff specialists using a survey questionnaire with ratings utilized to determine consensus using pre-defined thresholds as per the American Society of Clinical Oncology Guidelines Methodology Manual.

CONCLUSION

This consensus recommendation aims to improve RT utilization whilst advocating for optimal patient outcomes by presenting a framework for new radiation therapy centers ready to step up and manage the treatment of head and neck cancer patients. We propose these evidence-based consensus guidelines endorsed by external HNC radiation oncologists.

Long-term outcomes of definitive radiation with volumetric modulated arc therapy and concurrent chemotherapy for squamous cell carcinoma of the anus in a regional Australian cancer centre

INTRODUCTION

Concurrent chemoradiotherapy is the standard of care in the curative intent treatment of squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) of the anus. Volumetric arc therapy (VMAT) is a highly conformal radiation therapy technique that has been implemented to reduce toxicity for these patients. However, there are few reports evaluating the long-term outcomes of VMAT. Thus, we evaluated the survival and toxicity outcomes of anal cancer patients treated in our regional cancer centre undergoing curative intent chemoradiotherapy using VMAT and following the Australian EviQ guidelines.

METHODS

All consecutive patients treated with the VMAT technique for curative-intent definitive chemoradiotherapy for anal SCC at our institution from 2013 until 2022 were retrospectively reviewed for survival and toxicity outcomes. Kaplan-Meier estimates of locoregional control, distant metastasis-free survival, disease-free survival, anal cancer-specific survival and overall survival were obtained.

RESULTS

In total, 44 patients were analysed. The median follow-up was 48.9 months (Range 7.8-107). 97.7% of patients completed the prescribed radiation therapy and 88.6% chemotherapy. Five patients (11.4%) recurred. Four (9.1%) had isolated local failures, and one (2.3%) had an isolated distant failure. There were no regional nodal failures. The Kaplan-Meier estimates for locoregional control, distant metastasis-free survival, disease-free survival, anal cancer-specific survival and overall survival were 90.3%, 97.7%, 88.1%, 97.1% and 87% at 3 years, and 90.3%, 97.7%, 88.1%, 93.0% and 72.3% at 5 years, respectively. Acute grade 3 genitourinary (GU), gastrointestinal (GI) and skin toxicities occurred in 2.2%, 6.8% and 13.6% of patients, respectively. There were no acute grade 4 toxicities. Late grade 2 GU and GI toxicities occurred in 6.8% and 11.3% of patients, respectively. There were no late grade 3 or 4 toxicities or treatment-related deaths. The 5 -year colostomy-free survival rate was 86.4%.

CONCLUSION

Outcomes for anal SCC after definitive chemoradiotherapy using VMAT in our regional cancer centre results in low rates of grade 3/4 toxicity, high rates of organ preservation and excellent survival outcomes.

Influence of remoteness of residence on timeliness of diagnosis and treatment of oral cavity and oropharynx cancer: A retrospective cohort study

INTRODUCTION

Geographic disparities in head and neck cancer (HNC) outcomes in Australia may be mediated by timeliness of diagnosis and treatment. This retrospective cohort study examines geographic variations in survival and time intervals leading up to treatment for HNC at two tertiary referral centres in New South Wales.

METHODS

Eligible patients were NSW residents aged ≥18 years, diagnosed with primary oropharynx or oral cavity squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) between 01 July 2008 and 30 June 2013, and treated with curative intent. Main outcomes were times from diagnosis to treatment and from surgery to post-operative radiotherapy and overall survival. Differences based on remoteness of residence (regional/remote or metropolitan) were assessed.

RESULTS

A total of 224 patients were eligible. Median time from symptom onset to treatment was longer for regional/remote patients with oropharynx SCC (4.7 vs. 3.8 months, P = 0.044) and oral cavity SCC (6.4 vs. 3.3 months, P = 0.003). Median time from diagnosis to treatment was longer for regional/remote patients with oropharyngeal SCC (47 days vs. 36 days, P = 0.003). Time from surgery to adjuvant radiotherapy was longer among regional/remote patients with oral cavity SCC (66 vs. 42 days, P = 0.001). Overall survival did not differ based on remoteness.

CONCLUSION

Regional/remote HNC patients experienced longer times to diagnosis and treatment, and regardless of remoteness of residence, fewer than half of patients were treated within guideline recommended timeframes. Despite this non-adherence to guidelines, there were no differences in survival outcomes among this cohort. However, the impact of not meeting guidelines on patient outcomes other than survival warrants further investigation.

Outcomes utilizing intensity-modulated radiotherapy in oropharyngeal cancers: Tonsils versus base of tongue

BACKGROUND

The purpose of this study was to present the outcomes of oropharyngeal cancers treated with intensity-modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) especially the differences between tonsillar and base of tongue (BOT) primaries.

METHODS

Retrospective analysis of 124 patients with biopsy proven squamous cell carcinomas of the oropharynx, treated with IMRT.

RESULTS

Human papillomavirus (HPV) association correlated with improvement in survivals in both tonsillar and BOT primaries. At the 2-year median follow-up, the cumulative incidences of locoregional recurrences were 8% in both the tonsil and BOT groups (P = .76) but the distant metastases were 8% in the tonsil group versus 26% in the BOT group (P = .009). Thirty percent of tonsil primaries has ≥N2c neck disease as compared to 54% of BOT. Incidence of distant metastases increases with advanced nodal classification, especially >N2c.

CONCLUSION

Even though the locoregional controls are excellent with IMRT and chemotherapy, these patients continue to fail distantly, particularly significant for the BOT group and for nodal stage >N2c.