open access

Vol 15, No 4 (2021)
Research paper
Published online: 2021-07-15
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A pilot study on feasibility, toxicity and efficacy of novel hypofractionated radiation therapy in advanced nonnasopharyngeal head and neck carcinoma treated with palliative intent

Suman Meyur1, Suparna Kanti Pal2, Sumana Maiti1, Siddhartha Basu1
DOI: 10.5603/PMPI.2021.0022
·
Palliat Med Pract 2021;15(4):289-298.
Affiliations
  1. IPGME&R, 244, AJC Bose Road,, 700020 Kolkata, India
  2. Bankura Sammilani Medical College, Bankura, West Bengal, India

open access

Vol 15, No 4 (2021)
Research paper
Published online: 2021-07-15

Abstract

Introduction: For palliative treatment in patients with advanced inoperable stage IV head and neck cancer
hypofractionated radiotherapy is an efficient, cost-effective option, providing a logistic advantage.
Though there are multiple regimens prescribed, no standard of care has been confirmed. In this study,
a novel hypofractionated regimen has been tested for feasibility and toxicity along with an assessment of
objective treatment response and survival along with self-reported quality of life.

Patients and methods: 30 Patients, having pathologically proven advanced and metastatic non-nasopharyngeal
squamous cell carcinoma of Head and Neck (Stage IV) attending the Radiotherapy Department
of Hospital were allocated to the prescribed hypofractionation regime with 35 Gray in 7 fractions, given
as 2 days a week (total 3.5 weeks). In patients with good response and tolerability, 10 Gray boosts in
2 fractions were given. Patients were followed up at regular intervals for at least 1 year.

Results: The regimen faced a 97% treatment completion rate. Mean time to completion (from first contact)
is 5.8 (95% CI = 5.7–6.0) weeks. The toxicity of this treatment regimen was tolerable with 23.3%
acute and 33.3% incidence of chronic grade 3/4 toxicities. Objective response rate of this study was 66.7%
(p = 0.001) with further 16.7% patients having stable disease. After one month of treatment significant
improvement of quality of life was reported in terms of global health score, functional score and symptoms
score. Mean progression-free survival is 34.4 (95% CI = 27.8–41.1) weeks with 49.4 (95% CI = 44.3–54.5)
weeks of overall survival in 1 year follow up period.

Conclusions: The regimen is well tolerated and is highly feasible and has provided a good response rate
and improved quality of life immediately after treatment along with a better one-year overall survival rate.

Abstract

Introduction: For palliative treatment in patients with advanced inoperable stage IV head and neck cancer
hypofractionated radiotherapy is an efficient, cost-effective option, providing a logistic advantage.
Though there are multiple regimens prescribed, no standard of care has been confirmed. In this study,
a novel hypofractionated regimen has been tested for feasibility and toxicity along with an assessment of
objective treatment response and survival along with self-reported quality of life.

Patients and methods: 30 Patients, having pathologically proven advanced and metastatic non-nasopharyngeal
squamous cell carcinoma of Head and Neck (Stage IV) attending the Radiotherapy Department
of Hospital were allocated to the prescribed hypofractionation regime with 35 Gray in 7 fractions, given
as 2 days a week (total 3.5 weeks). In patients with good response and tolerability, 10 Gray boosts in
2 fractions were given. Patients were followed up at regular intervals for at least 1 year.

Results: The regimen faced a 97% treatment completion rate. Mean time to completion (from first contact)
is 5.8 (95% CI = 5.7–6.0) weeks. The toxicity of this treatment regimen was tolerable with 23.3%
acute and 33.3% incidence of chronic grade 3/4 toxicities. Objective response rate of this study was 66.7%
(p = 0.001) with further 16.7% patients having stable disease. After one month of treatment significant
improvement of quality of life was reported in terms of global health score, functional score and symptoms
score. Mean progression-free survival is 34.4 (95% CI = 27.8–41.1) weeks with 49.4 (95% CI = 44.3–54.5)
weeks of overall survival in 1 year follow up period.

Conclusions: The regimen is well tolerated and is highly feasible and has provided a good response rate
and improved quality of life immediately after treatment along with a better one-year overall survival rate.

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Keywords

palliative radiotherapy, hypofractionation, pilot study, head and neck cancer, quality of life, feasibility trial

About this article
Title

A pilot study on feasibility, toxicity and efficacy of novel hypofractionated radiation therapy in advanced nonnasopharyngeal head and neck carcinoma treated with palliative intent

Journal

Palliative Medicine in Practice

Issue

Vol 15, No 4 (2021)

Article type

Research paper

Pages

289-298

Published online

2021-07-15

Page views

5909

Article views/downloads

273

DOI

10.5603/PMPI.2021.0022

Bibliographic record

Palliat Med Pract 2021;15(4):289-298.

Keywords

palliative radiotherapy
hypofractionation
pilot study
head and neck cancer
quality of life
feasibility trial

Authors

Suman Meyur
Suparna Kanti Pal
Sumana Maiti
Siddhartha Basu

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