HN11P PRIMARY CHEMO‐RADIOTHERAPY FOR NON‐METASTATIC SQUAMOUS CELL CARCINOMA OF THE HEAD AND NECK

Abstract

Purpose To review our experience of concomitant single agent cheoradiotherapy treatment of locally advanced squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck (SCCHN).Methodology A retrospective cohort study of 56 patients with advanced SCCHN. Patients were eligible for inclusion if they had been treated with primary concurrent chemoradiotherapy for squamous cell carcinoma of the oral cavity (p = 7%), oropharynx (p = 54%), larynx (p = 23%) or hypopharynx (p = 16%) at the Sydney Head and Neck Cancer Institute between 2000 and 2005. Patients treated previously for this disease, or with other agents (such as 5‐FU) in combination with cisplatin/carboplatin, were excluded. Treatment was 80 or 100 mg/m2 of cisplatin in weeks 1, 4 and 7 of radiotherapy. Percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG) feeding tubes were placed in 86% of patients.Results A 90% initial complete response rate was observed. The Kaplan‐Meier 3 year projected overall survival rate was 72% and 3‐year disease specific survival was 74%. Eleven percent of the patient cohort underwent salvage surgery while 14% required chemotherapy dose adjustments. Twenty percent of patients required unplanned hospital admission for the management of treatment related toxicity.Conclusion Our study affirms that our overall survival rates and treatment related toxicities, using a concomitant chemoradiotherapy protocol are comparable with other institutions. Our initial clinical response rates may reflect our selection criteria and the low percentage of patients requiring dose adjustments. Our low rate of unplanned hospital admissions may be explained by the routine use of PEG tubes to reduce treatment related complications.