Assessment of Treatment Response and Survival in Patients Diagnosed with Locally Advanced Head and Neck Cancer and Treated with Chemoradiotherapy As Part of An Organ-Preservation Treatment Protocol

Abstract

Objectives: This study was carried out to explore the overall survival (OS) and disease-free survival (DFS) rates of patients with locally advanced head and neck cancer who were treated with chemoradiotherapy (CRT). Methods: A total of 54 patients were included in our study, including 35 patients who were treated with chemoradiotherapy and 19 patients who were treated with radiotherapy only. The primary tumor was irradiated with conformal or intensity-modulated radiotherapy at an average dose of 70 Gy (64–74), and lymph nodes at a dose of 50 to 70 Gy depending on risk groups. Treatment response, survival and disease-free survival rates were identified. Results: The follow-up period ranged from 3 months to 53 months (median=18 months). A clinically and radiologically complete response was observed in 36 (72%) of 50 patients 2 months after the completion of treatment. A partial response was detected in 12 patients (24%) and progression in 2 patients (4%). The rates of overall survival (OS) and disease-free survival (DFS) over the period of 3 years were found to be 51% and 58%, respectively. Conclusion: Radical radiotherapy or chemoradiotherapy is an alternative method of treatment, with acceptable toxicity rates, in locally advanced head and neck tumors