Chemotherapy and radiotherapy in locally advanced head and neck cancer: an individual patient data network meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Randomised, controlled trials and meta-analyses have shown the survival benefit of concomitant chemoradiotherapy or hyperfractionated radiotherapy in the treatment of locally advanced head and neck cancer. However, the relative efficacy of these treatments is unknown. We aimed to determine whether one treatment was superior to the other. METHODS: We did a frequentist network meta-analysis based on individual patient data of meta-analyses evaluating the role of chemotherapy (Meta-Analysis of Chemotherapy in Head and Neck Cancer [MACH-NC]) and of altered fractionation radiotherapy (Meta-Analysis of Radiotherapy in Carcinomas of Head and Neck [MARCH]). Randomised, controlled trials that enrolled patients with non-metastatic head and neck squamous cell cancer between Jan 1, 1980, and Dec 31, 2016, were included. We used a two-step random-effects approach, and the log-rank test, stratified by trial to compare treatments, with locoregional therapy as the reference. Overall survival was the primary endpoint. The global Cochran Q statistic was used to assess homogeneity and consistency and P score to rank treatments (higher scores indicate more effective therapies). FINDINGS: 115 randomised, controlled trials, which enrolled patients between Jan 1, 1980, and April 30, 2012, yielded 154 comparisons (28 978 patients with 19 253 deaths and 20 579 progression events). Treatments were grouped into 16 modalities, for which 35 types of direct comparisons were available. Median follow-up based on all trials was 6·6 years (IQR 5·0-9·4). Hyperfractionated radiotherapy with concomitant chemotherapy (HFCRT) was ranked as the best treatment for overall survival (P score 97%; hazard ratio 0·63 [95% CI 0·51-0·77] compared with locoregional therapy). The hazard ratio of HFCRT compared with locoregional therapy with concomitant chemoradiotherapy with platinum-based chemotherapy (CLRTP) was 0·82 (95% CI 0·66-1·01) for overall survival. The superiority of HFCRT was robust to sensitivity analyses. Three other modalities of treatment had a better P score, but not a significantly better HR, for overall survival than CLRTP (P score 78%): induction chemotherapy with taxane, cisplatin, and fluorouracil followed by locoregional therapy (ICTaxPF-LRT; 89%), accelerated radiotherapy with concomitant chemotherapy (82%), and ICTaxPF followed by CLRT (80%). INTERPRETATION: The results of this network meta-analysis suggest that further intensifying chemoradiotherapy, using HFCRT or ICTaxPF-CLRT, could improve outcomes over chemoradiotherapy for the treatment of locally advanced head and neck cancer. FUNDINGS: French Institut National du Cancer, French Ligue Nationale Contre le Cancer, and Fondation ARC.

Analysis of dose distribution between contemporary and standard planning in high-dose-rate endobronchial brachytherapy based on three-dimensional imaging.

PURPOSE: The treatment planning (TP) in high-dose-rate (HDR) endobronchial brachytherapy (EB) can be based on various forms of imaging. In the case of lung cancer, one-dimensional or two-dimensional imaging is standard. The dose coverage of the target (planning target volume - PTV) and organs at risk (OAR) is unknown, because the doses are calculated on the basis of the dose points. In modern brachytherapy, TP can be based on three-dimensional (3D) images. A plan created in this way contains information about the dose distribution in the PTV and OAR. Treatment plans based on standard planning (SP) and contemporary planning (CP) may differ in dose distribution in the patient's body. Those differences between SP and CP may have an effect on the dose distribution in PTV, OAR and follow-up. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The study involved a group of 31 patients prospectively treated with advanced, inoperable, non-small cell lung cancer. As many as 76 treatment fractions were analyzed. Firstly, the coverage of the PTV parameter in 2D and 3D for V85, V100 and V115 was analyzed. Secondly, the dosage that OAR would take in was evaluated. In the cases of the heart, spinal cord and esophagus, the examined dosage equaled D0.1cm3 , D1cm3 and D2cm3 for each of the structures. Also, heart D20 was examined as well as D5 for the healthy lung. RESULTS: The median dose to the target volume was on average 43.33% higher for V85 with the contemporary planning method when compared to standard planning, with statistical significance. This came with the cost of an OAR mean dose increase of 1 Gy in D0.1cm3 for the heart. CONCLUSIONS: Contemporary TP in EB allows one to adjust the dose distribution for individual clinical situations and allows one to improve clinical target volume (CTV) coverage, increase doses to the OAR and increase overall survival. The use of new methods of treatment plans in EB has significantly increased the follow-up to 21 months in a treated group of patients.

Recurrence of adenoid cystic carcinoma of the trachea treated with radical radiotherapy: A case report.

Adenoid cystic carcinoma (ACC) of the trachea is a relatively rare tumor among thoracic diseases. The present study reports the case of a 23-year-old woman with ACC of the trachea who underwent surgical resection of the tumor in The National Institute of Tuberculosis and Lung Diseases (Warsaw, Poland). Histopathological examination revealed that the tumor was not completely resected (R2 resection) and strict observation of the patient was therefore prescribed. After ~9 years of follow-up, clinical and histopathological tumor progression was confirmed and the patient was referred to the Centre of Oncology in Warsaw. The localization and advanced nature of the disease precluded surgical intervention, and radical radiotherapy was therefore performed using intensity-modulated radiation therapy. A total dose of 7,590 Gy, the planning target volume, was administered. A hyperfractionation scheme of radiotherapy was used: 2 fractions of 1.15 Gy daily, with at least a 6 h break in between. Tumor regression was observed following treatment and has been maintained for >3 years, assessed by clinical and computed tomography and positron emission tomography imaging examinations.

Role of radiotherapy fractionation in head and neck cancers (MARCH): an updated meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: The Meta-Analysis of Radiotherapy in squamous cell Carcinomas of Head and neck (MARCH) showed that altered fractionation radiotherapy is associated with improved overall and progression-free survival compared with conventional radiotherapy, with hyperfractionated radiotherapy showing the greatest benefit. This update aims to confirm and explain the superiority of hyperfractionated radiotherapy over other altered fractionation radiotherapy regimens and to assess the benefit of altered fractionation within the context of concomitant chemotherapy with the inclusion of new trials. METHODS: For this updated meta-analysis, we searched bibliography databases, trials registries, and meeting proceedings for published or unpublished randomised trials done between Jan 1, 2009, and July 15, 2015, comparing primary or postoperative conventional fractionation radiotherapy versus altered fractionation radiotherapy (comparison 1) or conventional fractionation radiotherapy plus concomitant chemotherapy versus altered fractionation radiotherapy alone (comparison 2). Eligible trials had to start randomisation on or after Jan 1, 1970, and completed accrual before Dec 31, 2010; had to have been randomised in a way that precluded prior knowledge of treatment assignment; and had to include patients with non-metastatic squamous cell carcinoma of the oral cavity, oropharynx, hypopharynx, or larynx undergoing first-line curative treatment. Trials including a non-conventional radiotherapy control group, investigating hypofractionated radiotherapy, or including mostly nasopharyngeal carcinomas were excluded. Trials were grouped in three types of altered fractionation: hyperfractionated, moderately accelerated, and very accelerated. Individual patient data were collected and combined with a fixed-effects model based on the intention-to-treat principle. The primary endpoint was overall survival. FINDINGS: Comparison 1 (conventional fractionation radiotherapy vs altered fractionation radiotherapy) included 33 trials and 11 423 patients. Altered fractionation radiotherapy was associated with a significant benefit on overall survival (hazard ratio [HR] 0·94, 95% CI 0·90-0·98; p=0·0033), with an absolute difference at 5 years of 3·1% (95% CI 1·3-4·9) and at 10 years of 1·2% (-0·8 to 3·2). We found a significant interaction (p=0·051) between type of fractionation and treatment effect, the overall survival benefit being restricted to the hyperfractionated group (HR 0·83, 0·74-0·92), with absolute differences at 5 years of 8·1% (3·4 to 12·8) and at 10 years of 3·9% (-0·6 to 8·4). Comparison 2 (conventional fractionation radiotherapy plus concomitant chemotherapy versus altered fractionation radiotherapy alone) included five trials and 986 patients. Overall survival was significantly worse with altered fractionation radiotherapy compared with concomitant chemoradiotherapy (HR 1·22, 1·05-1·42; p=0·0098), with absolute differences at 5 years of -5·8% (-11·9 to 0·3) and at 10 years of -5·1% (-13·0 to 2·8). INTERPRETATION: This update confirms, with more patients and a longer follow-up than the first version of MARCH, that hyperfractionated radiotherapy is, along with concomitant chemoradiotherapy, a standard of care for the treatment of locally advanced head and neck squamous cell cancers. The comparison between hyperfractionated radiotherapy and concomitant chemoradiotherapy remains to be specifically tested. FUNDING: Institut National du Cancer; and Ligue Nationale Contre le Cancer.

Hypofractionated accelerated radiotherapy in T1-3 N0 cancer of the larynx: A prospective cohort study with historical controls.

AIM: The goal of this prospective study was to assess the effectiveness of a hypofractionated accelerated regime in treatment of the larynx cancer. BACKGROUND: Multiple radiotherapy delivery regimes are used for treatment of the larynx cancer. Hypofractionated regimes could provide similar results with reduced use of radiotherapy facilities. MATERIAL AND METHODS: 223 patients with squamous cell carcinoma of the upper or middle larynx have been treated with 63 Gy delivered in 28 fractions of 2.25 Gy during 38 days, 5 fractions per week. The study endpoints were overall survival, progression-free survival, early and late treatment toxicity. Standard and accelerated radiotherapy groups from the study published by Hliniak et al.20 served as controls. RESULTS: Five-year actuarial overall survival was 87.5% in the study group, 84.5% in the control group receiving accelerated radiotherapy (33 fractions of 2.0 Gy, 6 fractions per week) and 86.2% in the control group (33 fractions of 2.0 Gy, 5 fractions per week). Five-year progression-free survival was 73.6%, 77.2% and 66.2%, respectively. Overall, treatment toxicity and complication rates did not differ between the study group and the control groups. CONCLUSIONS: The hypofractionated accelerated radiotherapy protocol using 5 fractions per week reduced the use of radiotherapy facilities. There was no significant difference in overall survival and progression-free survival between the study and control groups treated with accelerated or standard radiotherapy.

Usefulness of Somatostatin Receptor Scintigraphy (Tc-[HYNIC, Tyr3]-Octreotide) and 123I-Metaiodobenzylguanidine Scintigraphy in Patients with SDHx Gene-Related Pheochromocytomas and Paragangliomas Detected by Computed Tomography.

AIMS: The aim of this study was to assess the usefulness of somatostatin receptor scintigraphy (SRS) using (99m)Tc-[HYNIC, Tyr3]-octreotide (TOC) and 123I-metaiodobenzylguanidine (mIBG) in patients with SDHx-related syndromes in which paragangliomas were detected by computed tomography and to establish an optimal imaging diagnostic algorithm in SDHx mutation carriers. METHODS: All carriers with clinical and radiological findings suggesting paragangliomas were screened by SRS and 123I-mIBG. Lesions were classified by body regions, i.e. head and neck, chest, abdomen with pelvis and adrenal gland as well as metastasis. RESULTS: We evaluated 46 SDHx gene mutation carriers (32 index cases and 14 relatives; 28 SDHD, 16 SDHB and 2 SDHC). In this group, 102 benign tumors were found in 39 studied patients, and malignant disease was diagnosed in 7 patients. In benign tumors, the sensitivity of SRS was estimated at 77% and of 123I-mIBG at 22.0%. The SRS and mIBG sensitivity was found to be clearly region dependent (p < 0.001). The highest SRS sensitivity was found in head and neck paragangliomas (HNP; 91.4%) and the lowest was found in abdominal paragangliomas and pheochromocytomas (40 and 42.9%, respectively). The highest 123I-mIBG sensitivity was found in pheochromocytomas (sensitivity of 100%) and the lowest in HNP (sensitivity of 3.7%). In metastatic disease, SRS was superior to mIBG (sensitivity of 95.2 vs. 23.8%, respectively). CONCLUSION: SRS and 123I-mIBG single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) sensitivity in SDHx patients is highly body region dependent. In malignant tumors, SRS is superior to 123I-mIBG SPECT.

[Long-term results and cause of failure analysis in larynx cancer patients irradiated conventionally and with accelerated fractionation schedules in 1995-1998]. / Odlegle wyniki i analiza przyczyn niepowodzen u chorych na raka krtani napromienianych konwencjonalnie i schematem przyspieszonego frakcjonowania w latach 1995-1998.

The clinical material consists of 217 patients with squamous cell carcinoma in supraglottic and glottic larynx in clinical stage T1-3N0M0 irradiated radically in Warsaw Oncology Centre in 1995-1998. All patients were treated with Co-60, according to two schedules of fractionation, with maintenance of the consistent therapeutic protocol. The same team of doctors worked on the treatment of patients and on the follow-up as well. The clinical material is a part of a three-phased clinical trial KBN 0295. In the course of observation, the progression of cancer was not observed in 157 patients, among whom, 66% were treated conventionally and 79% with accelerated fractionation method. 60 cases of loco-regional recurrences were noted, among which 55 were regional. The majority of failure cases was observed until the 30(th) of the month after the radiotherapy ended. In conventional fractionation treatment, recurrences in T1 were 8/31 (26%), in T2 22/59 (37%) and in T3 8/20 (40%). In patients treated with AF, recurrences were T1 5/39 (13%), T2 15/55 (27%) and T3 2/13 (15%) respectively. The percentage of primary site tumour recurrences for each localization and kind of treatment was analysed. In CF 28/78 (37%) of glottic tumour recurrences and 10/34 (29%) of supraglottic tumour, recurrences were observed. In AF, 12/71 (17%) and 10/36 (28%) were observed respectively. In 48 cases salvage surgery was used, and 12 patients were not qualified because of tumour massive progression or because they refused to have a surgery. Among 34 cases (16%) of the second primary tumour or distant methastases, 25 were observed with glottic cancer, among which 23 were observed in early stages, and 9 cases with supraglottic cancer, among which, 6 showed early stage of tumour. In only 3 cases out of all the patients, distant methastases were confirmed in histopatology examination. The main cause of failure in larynx cancer patients in stage T1 is that 3N0M0 are local recurrences. Second primary or distant methastases constitute 16% of the patients in this paper.

[The results of combined treatment patients with olfactory neuroblastoma in material of Cancer Center in Warsaw]. / Wyniki skojarzonego leczenia nerwiaka wechowego (olfactory neuroblastoma) w materiale Centrum Onkologii w Warszawie.

UNLABELLED: The results of combined treatment patients with olfactory neuroblastoma in material of Cancer Center in Warsaw AIM: The analysis of the results of combined treatment patients with olfactory neuroblastoma in material of Cancer Center in Warsaw. MATERIAL: Authors present material of 27 cases olfactory neuroblastoma treated in Cancer Center of Warsaw from 1965 to 2008. The median age was 44 years (range 10-74). The median observation was 72 months (range 2-235).The tumors were seen in 15 women and 12 men. According to Kadish staging there were one A, eight B, and seventeen C stage tumor. The patients in stage A and B was treated by surgery and radiotherapy (mean dose in whole material was 57.15 Gy range 44-70). Five patients in stage C was treated by surgery, radiotherapy and adjuvant chemotherapy. Five patients were treated by neoadjuvant chemotherapy and radiotherapy. Six patients underwent surgery and radiotherapy. One patient was died during adjuvant chemotherapy. One patient in stage B had local recurrence, one local recurrence and metastases and one had only metastases. In stage C 4 patients was died because of metastases, one had local recurrence and, 3 was died because of other reasons. Patients who was failed, underwent surgery, chemotherapy or radiotherapy, it was dependent of clinical situation. RESULTS: A complete regression was seen in 100% patients in early stages (A and B) and 82% patients in stage C. The 5-year local progression-free survival rate was 91% in early stages and 60% in stage C. The LPFS in whole group was 66.7%. The 5-year disease-free survival rate was 91% in early stages, 46% in stage C. The DSF rate in whole group was 44.4%. The 5-year overall survival rate was 80% in stages A and B, 41.2% in stage C. The OS in whole group was 55.6%. The 5-year survival rate was 20% for patients who had recurrence and/or metastases. CONCLUSION: A combination of surgery and radiotherapy appears to be adequate treatment for early stages (A and B) olfactory neuroblastoma. There are still no clear protocols of treatment patients in stage C.

Impact of screening kindreds for SDHD p.Cys11X as a common mutation associated with paraganglioma syndrome type 1.

CONTEXT AND OBJECTIVE: Germline mutations of the genes SDHB, SDHC, and SDHD predispose to paraganglioma syndromes. Mutation-specific counseling, risk assessment, and management recommendations ideally should be performed. Here, we provide data for a single common mutation of the SDHD gene. METHODS: The European-American Pheochromocytoma-Paraganglioma Registry served as the source for unrelated index cases affected by pheochromocytoma or paraganglioma. Patients with the SDHD c.33 C-->A (p.Cys11X) germline mutations were reinvestigated by whole-body magnetic resonance imaging and 24-h urinary catecholamine assay. First-degree relatives underwent genetic testing and those testing positive had same clinical investigations. Microsatellite analyses were used to test the hypothesis that all index cases were related and the mutation is a founding one. RESULTS: Sixteen index cases with the mutation SDHD p.Cys11X are registered. After testing their relatives, there were a total of 25 mutation carriers. We excluded seven subjects who inherited the mutation from the mother because of maternal imprinting. Thus, 18 mutation carriers were clinically affected. Among these 16 (89%) had head and neck paragangliomas, six (33%) thoracic tumors, six (33%) extraadrenal retroperitoneal, and five (28%) intraadrenal. Of note, 16 (89%) had multiple tumors at first diagnosis, and one (5%) had signs of malignancy during follow-up. Overall penetrance was 100% at age 54. Haplotype analyses revealed evidence for a founder effect. CONCLUSIONS: The SDHD p.Cys11X mutation is a founding mutation associated with a high penetrance for paraganglial tumors of the skull base, neck, thorax, and retroperitoneum in the first four decades of life and, rarely, with malignancy.

[Results of treatment in patients with paranasal sinus carcinoma. Analysis of prognostic factors]. / Wyniki leczenia chorych na raka zatok obocznych nosa. Analiza czynników prognostycznych.

Analysis was based on the results of successful and unsuccessful treatment of 137 patients with paranasal sinus cancer at the Oncology Centre in Warsaw between 1987-2002. Patients with clinical stages T3 and T4 constituted 87% of cases (110 patients). Radical treatment was performed on 84 patients. Five-year overall survival in 137 cases amounted to 27%; and survival without recurrence was 24%. Five-year overall and recurrence-free survial among patients treated with surgery and radiotherapy were 36% and 32% retrospectively. Multivariate analysis of 61 patients with complete data, who were treated with radical surgery and radiotherapy, emphasized the influence of prognostic factors on survival. A worse prognosis correlated with advanced locoregional T and N stage. It is evident that total dose greater than 6000 cGy had a clear impact on the results of treatment. It was also shown that planning with the manually and hand-measured isodoses impacted negatively on the survival in comparison with 2D and 3D planning. Analysis of recurrence-free survival showed that metastatis to the lymph nodes, and a manually-planned treatment method, had a negative impact on the results of treatment. It is asserted that local recurrences are the main cause of failure in cases treated with surgery and radiotherapy.

Predictors and prevalence of paraganglioma syndrome associated with mutations of the SDHC gene.

CONTEXT: Paraganglioma syndrome includes inherited head and neck paragangliomas (HNPs) and adrenal or extra-adrenal pheochromocytomas and are classified according to the susceptibility genes SDHB, SDHC, and SDHD. In contrast with those with germline mutations of the SDHB and SDHD genes, clinical and genetic data on patients with mutations of SDHC are scarce. OBJECTIVE: To determine the prevalence and clinical characteristics of SDHC mutation carriers compared with patients with SDHB and SDHD mutations and with sporadic cases. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PATIENTS: Genetic screening for SDHC mutations in an international HNP registry of 121 unrelated index cases and in 371 sporadic cases from a pheochromocytoma registry, conducted January 1, 2001, until December 31, 2004. Identified index cases and affected relatives were clinically evaluated. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Prevalence of and clinical findings for SDHC mutation-associated HNPs vs those with SDHB and SDHD mutations. RESULTS: The prevalence of SDHC carriers was 4% in HNP but 0% in pheochromocytoma index cases. None of the SDHC mutation carriers had signs of pheochromocytoma. We compared HNPs in 22 SDHC mutation carriers with the HNPs of SDHB (n = 15) and SDHD (n = 42) mutation carriers and with 90 patients with sporadic HNPs. Location, number of tumors, malignancy, and age were different: more carotid body tumors were found in SDHC (13/22 [59%]) than in sporadic HNPs (29/90 [32%], P = .03), as well as fewer instances of multiple tumors in SDHC (2/22) than in SDHD (24/42; P<.001), 0 malignant tumors in SDHC vs 6/15 in SDHB (P = .002), and younger age at diagnosis in SDHC than in sporadic HNPs (45 vs 52 years; P = .03). CONCLUSIONS: Patients with HNP, but not those with pheochromocytoma, harbor SDHC mutations in addition to those in SDHB and SDHD. In total, more than one quarter of HNP patients carry a mutation in 1 of these 3 genes. Head and neck paragangliomas associated with SDHC mutations are virtually exclusively benign and seldom multifocal. Analysis for germline mutations of SDHC is recommended in apparently sporadic HNP to identify risk of inheritance.

[Concomitant radiochemotherapy followed by adjuvant chemotherapy in patients with poorly differentiated nasopharyngeal cancer; tolerance and early results of treatment]. / Ocena tolerancji i wczesnych wyników jednoczesnej radiochemioterapii i uzupelniajqcej chemioterapii u chorych na nisko zróznicowane raki nosowej czesci gardla.

INTRODUCTION: Recently, concomitant radiochemotherapy became a method of choice in patients with poorly differentiated nasopharyngeal cancer. The aim of this study is to estimate tolerance and early results of the concomitant radiochemotherapy followed by adjuvant chemotherapy (modified US Head and Neck Intergroup protocol). METHODS AND MATERIAL: Analysing protocol consist of conventionally fractionated radiotherapy (TD = 70 Gy) given concomitantly with cisplatin (30 mg/m2 daily during 3 days every 3 weeks). This part of treatment was followed by 3 courses of PF (cisplatin + 5-fluorouracil) chemotherapy. Between August 1998 and September 2003 thirty six patients (27 male and 9 female) were qualified to treatment. Median age was 33 years. RESULTS: Tolerance of concomitant radiochemotherapy was acceptable. Intensive mucosal acute reactions (>G2) were observed in 67% patients. Life threatening complications (sepsis + DIC) was observed in single case. All patients received radiotherapy in planned total dose. Eighty six percent of patients received cisplatin in planned cumulated doses. Tolerance of the adjuvant chemotherapy was worse. Only 44% patients received all three courses of PF chemotherapy. The reasons of incomplete chemotherapy were neutropenia, infections, prolongated acute reactions or performance status decreasing. Complete regression was obtained in 86% patients. Two years overall and disease free survival rates were 83% and 72%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Our results confirm high activity of the concomitant radiochemotherapy followed by chemotherapy in patients with poorly differentiated nasopharyngeal cancer. Those results confirm also high toxicity of this regimen, what suggest very careful patients qualification to treatment.

[The role of hemoglobin concentration in the outcome of definitive radiotherapy of the oropharyngeal cancer]. / Ocena wplywu steqenia hemoglobiny na wyniki radykalnego leczenia napromienianiem chorych na raka ustnej czesci gardla.

INTRODUCTION: Squamous cell carcinoma of the oropharynx is potentially curative by radiotherapy. The impact on the treatment results have factors related to neoplasm, to the patient and factors related to the method of radiotherapy. The aim of this paper is evaluation of the impact of hemoglobin concentration (Hb) on treatment results in these patients. METHODS: 241 patients with squamous cell carcinoma of the oropharynx were treated between 1984-1995 in Radiotherapy Department II of Centre of Oncology in Warsaw. Most of them had locally and regionally advanced disease (T3-T4 in 63% and N2-3 in 41% of the patients). The pretreatment level of Hg was determined. All patients underwent definitive radiotherapy with the mean total dose 66-70 Gy. RESULTS: The estimated 5-year overall survival in this group was 23%. Analysis of clinical factors and factors related to the treatment has shown independent impact of the Hb concentration on radiotherapy results. In the group of patients with Hb level above 13 g/dL the risk of death and risk of locoregional recurrance were two times lower in comparison with group where Hb level was equal to or below 13 g/dL (p = 0.0002 and p = 0.013 respectively). CONCLUSION: In the group of the patients with squamous cell carcinoma of the oropharynx, Hb concentration is important prognostic factor of the local control probablility and overall survival.

[Lymphatic metastasis in the neck from unknown primary. Analysis of treatment results and prognostic factors]. / Przerzuty do wezlów chlonnych szyi z nieznanego ogniska pierwotnego. Analiza wyników leczenia i czynników rokowniczych.

The aim of this study is to analyze the results of treatment results and prognostic factors related to clinical and treatment characteristics in patients with neck lymph nodes metastases from the unknown primary site. 90 patients with pathology proven cancer metastases in the neck lymph nodes from the unknown primary site were treated between 1984-1998. Most of them (58 patients--63%) had advanced disease in lymph nodes N3. The rest had stage N2abc before initial treatment. 40 patients underwent combined treatment--surgery and definitive radiotherapy. 3 patients had induction chemotherapy followed by resection and radiotherapy. 30 patients received radiotherapy alone or radiotherapy and chemotherapy. In 7 cases chemotherapy after surgical resection were used. Curves of overall survival were estimated using Kaplan-Meier method. Analysis of the prognostic factors was performed using Cox's multivariate proportional risk model. 5 years overall survival probability was 24%. In the group of patients who underwent surgery and radiotherapy probability of 5 years overall survival was 43%. In patients who received radiotherapy alone or radiotherapy and chemotherapy probability of 5 year overall survival was 2%. Multivariate analysis showed significant influence of the performance status (PS--WHO scale), sex and stage N3 on overall survival. The patients with PS 0-1 had better prognosis comparing with PS 2-3 (p < 0.001). Male had worse prognosis then female (p = 0.05). N3 stage reduced overall survival in comparison to N2abc (p = 0.06). In the analysis of disease free survival N3-stage was the only independent factor concerning with poor outcome (p = 0.03). Patients who had surgery followed by radiotherapy had better prognosis. Poor performance status, sex-male and N3 stage were identified as the important factors influencing overall survival. N3-stage was an independent factor influencing disease free survival.