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Chen AM, Harris JP, Nabar R, Tjoa T, Haidar Y, Armstrong WB. Re-irradiation versus systemic therapy for the management of local-regionally recurrent head and neck cancer. Radiother Oncol 2024; 196:110278. [PMID: 38636710 DOI: 10.1016/j.radonc.2024.110278] [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: 09/04/2023] [Revised: 03/25/2024] [Accepted: 04/11/2024] [Indexed: 04/20/2024]
Abstract
PURPOSE The optimal management of local-regionally recurrent head and neck cancer that is not amenable to surgical resection is uncertain. We sought to compare outcomes among patients treated with and without re-irradiation in this setting. METHODS AND MATERIALS A review of institutional registries identified 65 patients with local-regionally recurrent squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck who were ineligible for surgery. Forty patients (62 %) opted for re-irradiation with the remaining 25 patients (38 %) undergoing initial systemic therapy alone. All patients had measurable disease. Forty-three patients (66 %) were male and twenty-two (33 %) were female. The median age at the time of recurrence was 59 years (range, 39-84 years). The most common primary sites of disease were the oropharynx, (n = 25), oral cavity (N = 19), and nasopharynx (n = 11). The median interval from completion of prior radiation to the diagnosis of recurrent disease was 35 months (range, 2-102 months). RESULTS Re-irradiation improved 2-year overall survival, (32 % versus 11 %), progression-free survival (31 % versus 7 %), and local-regional control (39 % versus 3 %) compared to systemic therapy alone (p < 0.05, for both). The likelihood of developing any new grade 3+ toxicity was significantly higher among patients treated by re-irradiation compared to those treated by systemic therapy (53 % vs. 28 %, p < 0.001). There were 3 treatment-related fatalities, all of which occurred in the re-irradiation group. The incidence of grade 3+ late toxicity was 48 % and 12 % for patients in the re-irradiation and systemic therapy cohorts, respectively (p < 0.001). CONCLUSION Although re-irradiation improved overall survival compared to systemic therapy for appropriately selected patients with local-regionally recurrent head and neck cancer, the relatively high risk of toxicity must be considered.
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Affiliation(s)
- Allen M Chen
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University of California, Irvine, Chao Family Comprehensive Cancer Center, Orange, CA 92868, United States.
| | - Jeremy P Harris
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University of California, Irvine, Chao Family Comprehensive Cancer Center, Orange, CA 92868, United States
| | - Rupali Nabar
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Hematology-Oncology, University of California, Irvine, Chao Family Comprehensive Cancer Center, Orange, CA 92868, United States
| | - Tjoson Tjoa
- Department of Otolaryngology, University of California, Irvine, Chao Family Comprehensive Cancer Center, Orange, CA 92868, United States
| | - Yarah Haidar
- Department of Otolaryngology, University of California, Irvine, Chao Family Comprehensive Cancer Center, Orange, CA 92868, United States
| | - William B Armstrong
- Department of Otolaryngology, University of California, Irvine, Chao Family Comprehensive Cancer Center, Orange, CA 92868, United States
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Holm AIS, Elstrøm UV, Nielsen SB, Jensen K. Dose planning study of proton versus photon radiotherapy for head and neck squamous cell carcinoma of unknown primary in the primary and recurrent setting. Acta Oncol 2023; 62:1412-1417. [PMID: 37815913 DOI: 10.1080/0284186x.2023.2263156] [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: 05/30/2023] [Accepted: 09/20/2023] [Indexed: 10/12/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Patients with head and neck squamous cell carcinoma of unknown primary (HNCUP) are often treated with extensive radiotherapy (RT). Frequently, the bilateral nodal clinical target volume (nCTV) and the volumes of suspected mucosal primary sites (mCTV) of the pharynx and larynx is irradiated. This treatment is effective but toxic. New data suggest that omission of the contralateral nCTV and mCTV, results in few recurrences. The present study explores photon versus proton therapy, in the primary and recurrent setting. MATERIAL AND METHODS An analysis of twelve patients previously treated for HNCUP was performed. A fictitious recurrence was defined in patients treated for unilateral disease. Independently a volumetric arc photon plan and an intensity-modulated proton plan was made for all cases and scenarios. RESULTS Compared to the standard bilateral treatment this study shows that limiting the target to unilateral nCTV leads to a significant decrease in dysphagia of 18% and 17% and xerostomia of 4.0% and 5% for photon and protons, respectively. Comparing photon RT directly to proton RT shows a small and often insignificant gain, using protons for both bilateral and unilateral targets. Focusing on re-irradiation, benefits from using protons in both the primary setting and at re-irradiation were limited. However, using protons for re-irradiation only leads to a decrease in the tissue volume receiving a specific dose outside the target overlapping region, e.g., V90Gymean was 31, 25, and 22 cm3 for photons-photons, photons-protons, and protons-protons, respectively. For V100Gy of the ipsilateral carotid artery, no differences were observed. CONCLUSION Omitting contralateral nCTV irradiation and mCTV irradiation will significantly reduce toxicity. The accumulated high dose volumes can be minimised using protons for re-irradiation. However, the use of protons for primary treatment provides limited benefit in most patients.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Signe Bergliot Nielsen
- Departments of Head and Neck Surgery & Experimental Clinical Oncology, Aarhus University Hospital, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Kenneth Jensen
- Danish Center for Particle Therapy, Aarhus University Hospital, Aarhus, Denmark
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Ahmadsei M, Christ SM, Kroese TE, Kühnis A, Willmann J, Balermpas P, Andratschke N, Tanadini-Lang S, Guckenberger M. Efficacy and safety analysis in metastatic cancer patients treated with multiple courses of repeat radiation therapy. Clin Transl Radiat Oncol 2023; 43:100687. [PMID: 37867613 PMCID: PMC10589769 DOI: 10.1016/j.ctro.2023.100687] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/01/2023] [Revised: 09/18/2023] [Accepted: 09/30/2023] [Indexed: 10/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Background and purpose Due to advances in oncology, a growing proportion of patients is treated with repetitive courses of radiotherapy. The aim of this study is to analyze whether radiotherapy maintains its safety and efficacy profile in patients treated with multiple repeat courses of irradiation. Material and methods All patients treated between 2011 and 2019 at our institution were screened for a minimum of five repeat irradiation courses, to analyze treatment characteristics, survival, safety and efficacy. The type of re-irradiation was classified according to ESTRO-EORTC consensus guidelines. Results A total of n = 112 patients receiving n = 660 radiotherapy courses were included in this retrospective cohort study. The most frequent primary tumors were lung cancer in 41.9 % (n = 47) and malignant melanoma in 8.9 % (n = 10). The most frequent re-irradiation types were repeat irradiation and Type 2 re-irradiation in 309 (46.8 %) and 113 (17.1 %) cases, respectively. Median survival after the first course of radiotherapy was 3.6 (0.3-13.4) years. Response to radiotherapy was observed in 548 (83.0 %) cases and CTCAE toxicity grade ≥ 3 was observed in 21 (3.2 %) cases. An increasing number of RT courses (HR: 1.30, p=<0.0001), Type 1 re-irradiation (HR 3.50, p = 0.008) and KPS ≤ 80 % (HR: 2.02, p = 0.002) were associated with significantly worse treatment responses. Toxicity rates remained stable with increasing numbers of RT courses. Conclusion Multiple courses of repeat radiotherapy maintain a favorable therapeutic ratio of high response combined with reasonable safety profile.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maiwand Ahmadsei
- Department of Radiation Oncology and Competence Center for Palliative Care, University Hospital and University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Sebastian M. Christ
- Department of Radiation Oncology and Competence Center for Palliative Care, University Hospital and University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Tiuri E. Kroese
- Department of Radiation Oncology and Competence Center for Palliative Care, University Hospital and University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Anja Kühnis
- Department of Radiation Oncology and Competence Center for Palliative Care, University Hospital and University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Jonas Willmann
- Department of Radiation Oncology and Competence Center for Palliative Care, University Hospital and University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
- Center for Proton Therapy, Paul Scherrer Institute, ETH Domain, Villigen, Switzerland
| | - Panagiotis Balermpas
- Department of Radiation Oncology and Competence Center for Palliative Care, University Hospital and University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Nicolaus Andratschke
- Department of Radiation Oncology and Competence Center for Palliative Care, University Hospital and University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Stephanie Tanadini-Lang
- Department of Radiation Oncology and Competence Center for Palliative Care, University Hospital and University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Matthias Guckenberger
- Department of Radiation Oncology and Competence Center for Palliative Care, University Hospital and University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
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Scolari C, Buchali A, Franzen A, Förster R, Windisch P, Bodis S, Zwahlen DR, Schröder C. Re-irradiation for head and neck cancer: outcome and toxicity analysis using a prospective single institution database. Front Oncol 2023; 13:1175609. [PMID: 37456239 PMCID: PMC10346436 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2023.1175609] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/27/2023] [Accepted: 06/05/2023] [Indexed: 07/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Purpose Re-irradiation (re-RT) in head and neck cancer is challenging. This study prospectively explored the feasibility of re-RT in patients with loco-regionally recurrent or second primary head and neck cancer (LRR/SP HNC). Methods From 2004 to 2021, 61 LRR/SP HNC patients were treated with re-RT, defined as having a second course of RT with curative intent resulting in a cumulative dose of ≥100 Gy in an overlapping volume. Postoperative or definitive dynamic intensity-modulated and/or volumetric modulated re-RT was administered using twice daily hyperfractionation to 60 Gy combined with cisplatin or carboplatin/5-fluorouracil. Overall survival (OS), progression-free survival (PFS), locoregional control (LRC) and distant metastasis control (DMC) were analyzed and prognostic factors evaluated. Toxicity was prospectively recorded and graded. Results The median follow-up was 9.8 months. In 41 patients (67.1%), complete administration of the intended treatment was not feasible. In 9 patients (15%) re-RT was interrupted prematurely and in other 9, the complete re-RT dose was lower than 60 Gy, and 37 patients (61%) could not receive or complete chemotherapy. Two-year OS, PFS and LRC rates were 19%, 18% and 30%, respectively. 20 patients (33%) received the complete intended treatment, and 1- and 2-year OS rates were 70% and 47%, respectively. Charlson comorbidity index was an important predictor for treatment completion. Multivariate analysis revealed recurrent N stage 0-1, age, chemotherapy administration and re-RT dose of 60 Gy as prognostic factors for clinical outcomes. No grade 5 re-RT-related toxicity was observed. The most common new grade ≥3 acute toxicities were dysphagia (52%) and mucositis (46%). Late toxicity included grade ≥3 dysphagia in 5% and osteoradionecrosis in 10% of evaluable patients, respectively. 6 patients (10%) were alive after 9 years without progression and no late toxicity grade ≥3, except for 2 patients presenting with osteoradionecrosis. Conclusion Hyperfractionated re-RT with 60 Gy combined with platinum-based chemotherapy was a curative treatment option with acceptable toxicity in LRR/SP patients. Patients with higher comorbidity had a higher probability of failing to receive and complete the intended therapy. Consequently, they derived unsatisfactory benefits from re-RT, highlighting the importance of patient selection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chiara Scolari
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University Hospital Ruppin-Brandenburg, Brandenburg Medical School Theodor Fontane (MHB), Neuruppin, Germany
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Cantonal Hospital Winterthur (KSW), Winterthur, Switzerland
| | - André Buchali
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University Hospital Ruppin-Brandenburg, Brandenburg Medical School Theodor Fontane (MHB), Neuruppin, Germany
| | - Achim Franzen
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, University Hospital Ruppin-Brandenburg, Brandenburg Medical School Theodor Fontane (MHB), Neuruppin, Germany
- Faculty of Health Sciences Brandenburg, Joint Faculty of the University of Potsdam, Brandenburg university of Technology Cottbus-Senftenberg and Brandenburg Medical School, Potsdam, Germany
| | - Robert Förster
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Cantonal Hospital Winterthur (KSW), Winterthur, Switzerland
| | - Paul Windisch
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Cantonal Hospital Winterthur (KSW), Winterthur, Switzerland
| | - Stephan Bodis
- Center for Radiation Oncology, Cantonal Hospital Aarau and Baden (KSA-KSB), Aarau/Baden, Switzerland
| | - Daniel R. Zwahlen
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Cantonal Hospital Winterthur (KSW), Winterthur, Switzerland
| | - Christina Schröder
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Cantonal Hospital Winterthur (KSW), Winterthur, Switzerland
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Held T, Lang K, Regnery S, Weusthof K, Hommertgen A, Jäkel C, Tonndorf-Martini E, Krisam J, Plinkert P, Zaoui K, Freudlsperger C, Moratin J, Krauss J, Harrabi SB, Herfarth K, Debus J, Adeberg S. Carbon ion reirradiation compared to intensity-modulated re-radiotherapy for recurrent head and neck cancer (CARE): a randomized controlled trial. Radiat Oncol 2020; 15:190. [PMID: 32758267 PMCID: PMC7405378 DOI: 10.1186/s13014-020-01625-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/26/2020] [Accepted: 07/21/2020] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Intensity-modulated re-radiotherapy (reIMRT) has been established as a standard local treatment option in patients with non-resectable, recurrent head and neck cancer (rHNC). However, the clinical outcome is unfavorable and severe toxicities (≥grade III) occurred in 30-40% of patients. The primary aim of the current trial is to investigate carbon ion reirradiation (reCIRT) compared to reIMRT in patients with rHNC regarding safety/toxicity as well as local control, overall survival (OS), and quality of life (QoL). METHODS The present trial will be performed as a single center, two-armed, prospective phase II study. A maximum of 72 patients will be treated with either reIMRT or reCIRT to evaluate severe (≥grade III) treatment-related toxicities (randomization ratio 1:1). The primary target value is to generate less than 35% acute/subacute severe toxicity (≥grade III), according to the Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events v5.0, within 6 months after study treatment. The total dose of reirradiation will range between 51 and 60 Gy or Gy (RBE), depending primarily on the radiotherapy interval and the cumulative dose to organs at risk. Individual dose prescription will be at the discretion of the treating radiation oncologist. The local and distant progression-free survival 12 months after reirradiation, the OS, and the QoL are the secondary endpoints of the trial. Explorative trial objectives are the longitudinal investigation of clinical patient-related parameters, tumor parameters on radiological imaging, and blood-based tumor analytics. DISCUSSION Recent retrospective studies suggested that reCIRT could represent a feasible and effective treatment modality for rHNC. This current randomized prospective trial is the first to investigate the toxicity and clinical outcome of reCIRT compared to reIMRT in patients with rHNC. TRIAL REGISTRATION ClinicalTrials.gov ; NCT04185974 ; December 4th 2019.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thomas Held
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Heidelberg University Hospital, Im Neuenheimer Feld 400, 69120, Heidelberg, Germany.,Heidelberg Institute of Radiation Oncology (HIRO), Heidelberg, Germany.,National Center for Tumor Diseases (NCT), Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Kristin Lang
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Heidelberg University Hospital, Im Neuenheimer Feld 400, 69120, Heidelberg, Germany.,Heidelberg Institute of Radiation Oncology (HIRO), Heidelberg, Germany.,National Center for Tumor Diseases (NCT), Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Sebastian Regnery
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Heidelberg University Hospital, Im Neuenheimer Feld 400, 69120, Heidelberg, Germany.,Heidelberg Institute of Radiation Oncology (HIRO), Heidelberg, Germany.,National Center for Tumor Diseases (NCT), Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Katharina Weusthof
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Heidelberg University Hospital, Im Neuenheimer Feld 400, 69120, Heidelberg, Germany.,Heidelberg Institute of Radiation Oncology (HIRO), Heidelberg, Germany.,National Center for Tumor Diseases (NCT), Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Adriane Hommertgen
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Heidelberg University Hospital, Im Neuenheimer Feld 400, 69120, Heidelberg, Germany.,Heidelberg Institute of Radiation Oncology (HIRO), Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Cornelia Jäkel
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Heidelberg University Hospital, Im Neuenheimer Feld 400, 69120, Heidelberg, Germany.,Heidelberg Institute of Radiation Oncology (HIRO), Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Eric Tonndorf-Martini
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Heidelberg University Hospital, Im Neuenheimer Feld 400, 69120, Heidelberg, Germany.,Heidelberg Institute of Radiation Oncology (HIRO), Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Johannes Krisam
- Institute of Medical Biometry and Informatics (IMBI), Heidelberg University Hospital, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Peter Plinkert
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, University of Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Karim Zaoui
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, University of Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Christian Freudlsperger
- Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, University Hospital Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Julius Moratin
- Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, University Hospital Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Jürgen Krauss
- Department of Medical Oncology, National Center for Tumor Diseases (NCT), Heidelberg University Hospital, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Semi B Harrabi
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Heidelberg University Hospital, Im Neuenheimer Feld 400, 69120, Heidelberg, Germany.,Heidelberg Institute of Radiation Oncology (HIRO), Heidelberg, Germany.,National Center for Tumor Diseases (NCT), Heidelberg, Germany.,Clinical Cooperation Unit Radiation Oncology, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany.,Heidelberg Ion-Beam Therapy Center (HIT), Heidelberg, Germany.,German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), partner site Heidelberg, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Klaus Herfarth
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Heidelberg University Hospital, Im Neuenheimer Feld 400, 69120, Heidelberg, Germany.,Heidelberg Institute of Radiation Oncology (HIRO), Heidelberg, Germany.,National Center for Tumor Diseases (NCT), Heidelberg, Germany.,Clinical Cooperation Unit Radiation Oncology, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany.,Heidelberg Ion-Beam Therapy Center (HIT), Heidelberg, Germany.,German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), partner site Heidelberg, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Jürgen Debus
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Heidelberg University Hospital, Im Neuenheimer Feld 400, 69120, Heidelberg, Germany.,Heidelberg Institute of Radiation Oncology (HIRO), Heidelberg, Germany.,National Center for Tumor Diseases (NCT), Heidelberg, Germany.,Clinical Cooperation Unit Radiation Oncology, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany.,Heidelberg Ion-Beam Therapy Center (HIT), Heidelberg, Germany.,German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), partner site Heidelberg, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Sebastian Adeberg
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Heidelberg University Hospital, Im Neuenheimer Feld 400, 69120, Heidelberg, Germany. .,Heidelberg Institute of Radiation Oncology (HIRO), Heidelberg, Germany. .,National Center for Tumor Diseases (NCT), Heidelberg, Germany. .,Clinical Cooperation Unit Radiation Oncology, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany. .,Heidelberg Ion-Beam Therapy Center (HIT), Heidelberg, Germany. .,German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), partner site Heidelberg, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany.
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