Development of Normal Tissue Complication Probability Model for Trismus in Head and Neck Cancer Patients Treated With Radiotherapy: The Role of Dosimetric and Clinical Factors.

Abstract

The aim of this study was to develop a normal tissue complication probability (NTCP) model for trismus in head and neck cancer (HNC) patients treated with radiotherapy (RT). Prospective measurements of maximum inter-incisal opening (MIO) were performed at baseline and 6 months after definitive RT in 132 HNC patients. The primary endpoint of this study was defined when a patient fulfilled both of the following criteria: 1) MIO at 6 months after RT ≤35 mm and 2) MIO at 6 months after RT ≤80% of baseline MIO. Eleven clinical factors and a wide range of dosimetric factors (mean dose, maximum dose, V5, V10, V20, and V40) in twelve organs at risk (OARs) were chosen as candidate prognostic variables. Thirty out of 132 patients (23%) developed the primary endpoint. Multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that the mean dose to the contralateral mandible joint (p=0.001) and baseline MIO (p=0.027) were independent prognostic factors. A multivariable NTCP model for trismus in HNC patients treated with RT was established including the mean dose to contralateral mandible joint and baseline MIO.