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Smith J, Margalit D, Golledge J, Nastasi D, Nohria A, McDowell L. Carotid Artery Stenosis and Ischemic Stroke in Patients With Head and Neck Cancer Treated With Radiation Therapy: A Critical Review. Int J Radiat Oncol Biol Phys 2024; 119:1437-1454. [PMID: 38583496 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijrobp.2024.03.044] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2023] [Revised: 03/21/2024] [Accepted: 03/27/2024] [Indexed: 04/09/2024]
Abstract
The purpose of this review is to summarize the literature on carotid artery stenosis (CAS) and ischemic stroke (IS) in patients with head and neck cancer (HNC) treated with radiation therapy (RT) to guide assessment, screening, and management strategies. Patients treated with RT for HNC are at an elevated risk of developing CAS, with published meta-analyses demonstrating that CAS >50% occurs in approximately 25% of patients. Previous research suggests a 10-year cumulative incidence of stroke between 5.7% and 12.5%. Cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk prediction tools such as Qstroke, QRISK-2, and Framingham risk score perform poorly for predicting IS for patients with HNC who received RT. Duplex ultrasound is the most common imaging modality to assess CAS, but controversy remains as to the utility of screening asymptomatic individuals. Only 3 of the 5 major HNC survivorship guidelines acknowledge RT as a risk factor for CAS or IS, while only 1 makes a specific recommendation on screening for CAS (American Head and Neck Society). Within the general population, only 1 CVD guideline discusses RT as a risk factor for CAS (Society for Vascular Surgery). Clinicians involved in the care of patients with HNC treated with RT should be aware of the increased risk of CAS and IS and the challenges in risk prediction. Although there is a lack of evidence to make firm recommendations, HNC survivorship recommendations should ensure HNC survivors and primary care providers are informed of these risks and the importance of assessment and management of CVD risk factors. Future studies are required to refine risk prediction models in patients with HNC and to determine those most likely to benefit from targeted screening and initiation of early preventative strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Justin Smith
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia; Department of Radiation Oncology, Princess Alexandra Hospital, Brisbane, Australia.
| | - Danielle Margalit
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute/Brigham & Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Jonathan Golledge
- Queensland Research Centre for Peripheral Vascular Disease, College of Medicine and Dentistry, James Cook University, Townsville, Australia; The Department of Vascular and Endovascular Surgery, Townsville University Hospital, Townsville, Australia; The Australian Institute of Tropical Health and Medicine, Townsville, Australia
| | - Domenico Nastasi
- Department of Vascular Surgery, Gold Coast University Hospital, Gold Coast, Australia
| | - Anju Nohria
- Cardiovascular Division, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts; Adult Survivorship Program, Dana Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Lachlan McDowell
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia; Department of Radiation Oncology, Princess Alexandra Hospital, Brisbane, Australia
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Liu CH, Chang JTC, Lee TH, Chang PY, Chang CH, Wu HC, Chang TY, Huang KL, Lin CY, Fan KH, Chu CL, Chang YJ. Total plaque score helps to determine follow-up strategy for carotid artery stenosis progression in head and neck cancer patients after radiation therapy. PLoS One 2021; 16:e0246684. [PMID: 33577590 PMCID: PMC7880459 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0246684] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/30/2020] [Accepted: 01/22/2021] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND To identify predictors of carotid artery stenosis (CAS) progression in head and neck cancer (HNC) patients after radiation therapy (RT). METHODS We included 217 stroke-naïve HNC patients with mild carotid artery stenosis after RT in our hospital. These patients underwent annual carotid duplex ultrasound (CDU) studies to monitor CAS progression. CAS progression was defined as the presence of ≥50% stenosis of the internal/common carotid artery on follow-up CDU. We recorded total plaque score (TPS) and determined the cut-off TPS to predict CAS progression. We categorized patients into high (HP) and low plaque (LP) score groups based on their TPS at enrolment. We analyzed the cumulative events of CAS progression in the two groups. RESULTS The TPS of the CDU study at enrolment was a significant predictor for CAS progression (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] = 1.69, p = 0.002). The cut-off TPS was 7 (area under the curve: 0.800), and a TPS ≥ 7 strongly predicted upcoming CAS progression (aOR = 41.106, p = 0.002). The HP group had a higher risk of CAS progression during follow-up (adjusted hazard ratio = 6.15; 95% confident interval: 2.29-16.53) in multivariable Cox analysis, and also a higher trend of upcoming ischemic stroke (HP vs. LP: 8.3% vs. 2.2%, p = 0.09). CONCLUSIONS HNC patients with a TPS ≥ 7 in any CDU study after RT are susceptible to CAS progression and should receive close monitoring within the following 2 years.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chi-Hung Liu
- Stroke Center and Department of Neurology, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Linkou Medical Center and College of Medicine, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan, Taiwan
| | - Joseph Tung-Chieh Chang
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Proton and Radiation Therapy Center, Chang Gung Medical Foundation, Linkou Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Taoyuan, Taiwan.,Taipei Chang Gung Head & Neck Oncology Group, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital Linkou Medical Center, Taoyuan, Taiwan.,Department of Medicine, College of Medicine, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan, Taiwan
| | - Tsong-Hai Lee
- Stroke Center and Department of Neurology, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Linkou Medical Center and College of Medicine, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan, Taiwan
| | - Pi-Yueh Chang
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Linkou Medical Center, Taoyuan, Taiwan.,Department of Medical Biotechnology and Laboratory Science, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan, Taiwan
| | - Chien-Hung Chang
- Stroke Center and Department of Neurology, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Linkou Medical Center and College of Medicine, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan, Taiwan
| | - Hsiu-Chuan Wu
- Stroke Center and Department of Neurology, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Linkou Medical Center and College of Medicine, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan, Taiwan
| | - Ting-Yu Chang
- Stroke Center and Department of Neurology, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Linkou Medical Center and College of Medicine, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan, Taiwan
| | - Kuo-Lun Huang
- Stroke Center and Department of Neurology, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Linkou Medical Center and College of Medicine, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan, Taiwan
| | - Chien-Yu Lin
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Proton and Radiation Therapy Center, Chang Gung Medical Foundation, Linkou Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Taoyuan, Taiwan.,Taipei Chang Gung Head & Neck Oncology Group, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital Linkou Medical Center, Taoyuan, Taiwan.,Department of Medicine, College of Medicine, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan, Taiwan.,Particle Physics and Beam Delivery Core Laboratory of Institute for Radiological Research, Chang Gung University/Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Linkou, Taoyuan, Taiwan
| | - Kang-Hsing Fan
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Proton and Radiation Therapy Center, Chang Gung Medical Foundation, Linkou Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Taoyuan, Taiwan.,Taipei Chang Gung Head & Neck Oncology Group, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital Linkou Medical Center, Taoyuan, Taiwan.,Department of Medicine, College of Medicine, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan, Taiwan
| | - Chan-Lin Chu
- Stroke Center and Department of Neurology, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Linkou Medical Center and College of Medicine, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan, Taiwan
| | - Yeu-Jhy Chang
- Stroke Center and Department of Neurology, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Linkou Medical Center and College of Medicine, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan, Taiwan.,Chang Gung Medical Education Research Centre, Taoyuan, Taiwan
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Hypothyroidism and risks of cerebrovascular complications among patients with head and neck cancer after radiotherapy. BMC Neurol 2021; 21:30. [PMID: 33468088 PMCID: PMC7814701 DOI: 10.1186/s12883-021-02047-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/14/2020] [Accepted: 01/04/2021] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Hypothyroidism (HT) and carotid artery stenosis (CAS) are complications of radiotherapy (RT) in patients with head and neck cancer (HNC). The impact of post-RT HT on CAS progression remains unclear. METHODS Between 2013 and 2014, HNC patients who had ever received RT and were under regular follow-up in our hospital were initially screened. Patients were categorized into euthyroid (EU) and HT groups. Details of RT and HNC were recorded. Total plaque scores and degrees of CAS were measured during annual extracranial duplex follow-up. Patients were monitored for CAS progression to > 50 % stenosis or ischemic stroke (IS). Cumulative time to CAS progression and IS between the 2 groups were compared. Data were further analyzed based on the use or nonuse of thyroxine of the HT group. RESULTS 333 HNC patients with RT history were screened. Finally, 216 patients were recruited (94 and 122 patients in the EU and HT groups). Patients of the HT group received higher mean RT doses (HT vs. EU; 7021.55 ± 401.67 vs. 6869.69 ± 425.32 centi-grays, p = 0.02). Multivariate Cox models showed comparable CAS progression (p = 0.24) and IS occurrence (p = 0.51) between the 2 groups. Moreover, no significant difference was observed in time to CAS progression (p = 0.49) or IS (p = 0.31) among patients with EU and HT using and not using thyroxine supplement. CONCLUSIONS Our results did not demonstrate significant effects of HT and thyroxine supplementation on CAS progression and IS incidence in patients with HNC after RT.
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Shen Y, Li Y, Chen C, Wang W, Li T. D-dimer and diffusion-weighted imaging pattern as two diagnostic indicators for cancer-related stroke: A case-control study based on the STROBE guidelines. Medicine (Baltimore) 2020; 99:e18779. [PMID: 31977868 PMCID: PMC7004795 DOI: 10.1097/md.0000000000018779] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/09/2019] [Revised: 12/10/2019] [Accepted: 12/17/2019] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
The aim of this study was to evaluate the risk factors and elucidate the clinical characteristics of cancer-associated ischemic stroke to differentiate it from conventional ischemic stroke in China and East Asia. Between June 2012 and June 2016, a retrospective analysis was performed on 609 stroke patients with cancer. They were divided into 3 groups: cancer-stroke group (CSG, 203 cases), stroke group (SG, 203 cases), and cancer group (CG, 203 cases). The D-dimer levels and diffusion-weighted imaging lesion (DWI) pattern were compared to an age- and sex-matched control group. The most common cancer types were colorectal cancer (20.2%) and lung cancer (18.72%). The average D-dimer level in stroke patients and cancer patients were 0.34 and 1.50 mg/L, respectively. The descending levels of D-dimer from cancer types were lung cancer (2.06 mg/L), pancreas (1.74 mg/L), gastric (1.61 mg/L), among others. Univariate analysis of the CSG and the others shows there were significant differences in the prevalence of the levels of D-dimer and DWI pattern, hypertension, diabetes mellitus, and thrombus. CSG has a unique pathological characteristic including high plasma D-dimer levels and multiple vascular lesions. The results show that D-dimer and DWI can be used as diagnostic index in clinical practice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yijun Shen
- Department of Neurology, Xin Hua Hospital Chongming Branch Affiliated to Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine, Shanghai
- Department of Neurology, Xin Hua Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine, Shanghai
| | - Yuxia Li
- Department of General Surgery, Hanchuan People's Hospital, Hanchuan
| | - Chengming Chen
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, 900th Hospital of Joint Logistics Support Force, Fuzhou, China
| | - Wenan Wang
- Department of Neurology, Xin Hua Hospital Chongming Branch Affiliated to Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine, Shanghai
- Department of Neurology, Xin Hua Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine, Shanghai
| | - Tian Li
- Department of Neurology, Xin Hua Hospital Chongming Branch Affiliated to Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine, Shanghai
- School of Basic Medicine, The Fourth Military Medical University, 169 Changle West Road, Xi’an
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