Clinical outcomes of radiation-based locoregional therapy in locally advanced head and neck squamous cell carcinoma patients not responding to induction chemotherapy

Oral Surg Oral Med Oral Pathol Oral Radiol. 2013 Jul;116(1):55-60. doi: 10.1016/j.oooo.2013.02.007. Epub 2013 Apr 6.

Abstract

Objective: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of radiation-based locoregional therapy for locally advanced head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (LA-HNSCC) patients who did not respond to induction chemotherapy (IC).

Study design: Outcomes after radiation-based locoregional therapy were retrospectively analyzed.

Results: Among a total of 208 patients treated with IC, 46 (22.1%) did not respond. After IC, patients were treated with radiotherapy (RT), concurrent chemoradiotherapy (CCRT), or surgery with or without postoperative RT. Among the 46 nonresponders, 17 (37.8%) patients underwent surgery and 28 (62.2%) were treated with RT or CCRT. Responses to subsequent RT or CCRT for 26 evaluable patients were as follows: complete response=7 (26.9%), partial response=9 (34.6%), stable disease=4 (15.4%), and progressive disease=6 (23.1%).

Conclusion: A significant proportion of LA-HNSCC patients who did not respond to IC can benefit from subsequent RT or CCRT.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / drug therapy
  • Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / radiotherapy*
  • Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / surgery
  • Combined Modality Therapy
  • Female
  • Head and Neck Neoplasms / drug therapy
  • Head and Neck Neoplasms / radiotherapy*
  • Head and Neck Neoplasms / surgery
  • Humans
  • Induction Chemotherapy
  • Kaplan-Meier Estimate
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Retrospective Studies
  • Treatment Outcome