Prognostic value of tumor regression during radiotherapy for head and neck cancer: a prospective study.
Int J Radiat Oncol Biol Phys
; 33(2): 271-9, 1995 Sep 30.
Article
in En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-7673014
ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE:
Prospective evaluation of tumor regression during external irradiation for head and neck squamous cell carcinomas and its association with long-term local control. METHODS AND MATERIALS Two hundred twenty-eight patients with histologically confirmed squamous cell carcinoma [oral cavity 59 (26%), oropharynx 65 (29%), hypopharynx 37 (16%), larynx 67 (29%)] were included between January 1986 and December 1990. Curative intent external irradiation delivered 65-70 Gy over a period of 7 weeks (five 2 Gy fractions per week). Tumor regression was evaluated clinically and endoscopically every week.RESULTS:
Tumor regression, assessed at 2 weeks, was as follows no response 62 (30%), 25% response 121 (59%); 50% response 23 (11%). At 5 weeks, 9 (4%) patients showed 0-25% regression, 75 (33%) showed 50% regression, 115 (50%) showed 75% regression, and 29 (13%) showed complete regression. Median follow-up was 79 months (range 6-96 months). The local control probability was 68% (62-74%) at 2 years, 65% (59-70%) at 5 years. Univariate analysis showed that, at 2 weeks, local control was significantly different between the nonresponders and the patients with 25% or greater response (p < 0.025) and that, at the fifth week, local control was very different between the major responders (75 and 100%) and the minor responders (0-50%) (p < 0.0001). Multivariate analysis (Cox Proportional Hazards Model) showed that the probability of local relapse was significantly and independently increased for minor regression at 5 weeks [Relative risk (RR) of failure was 2.3 (1.4-3.7)], for nonlaryngeal tumors [RR 2.4 (1.3-4.5)], and for Stage T3-T4 [RR2.4 (1.4-4)]. Three prognostic groups can, therefore, be proposed 1) low risk of recurrence when regression > or = 75% and laryngeal tumor or T1-T2 tumors in other sites 106 (46.5%) patients, 2-year local control probability 84% (77-92%); 2) high risk of recurrence regression < or = 50% and T3-T4 nonlaryngeal tumors 44 (19%) patients, 2-year local control probability 27% (13-41%); 3) intermediate risk of recurrence 78 (34.5%) patients, 2-year local control probability 69% (58-80%).CONCLUSION:
The present study suggests that tumor regression during external radiotherapy is an independent predictive factor of local control in head and neck carcinomas.
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Collection:
01-internacional
Database:
MEDLINE
Main subject:
Carcinoma, Squamous Cell
/
Head and Neck Neoplasms
Type of study:
Etiology_studies
/
Observational_studies
/
Prognostic_studies
/
Risk_factors_studies
Limits:
Humans
Language:
En
Journal:
Int J Radiat Oncol Biol Phys
Year:
1995
Document type:
Article
Affiliation country:
France