Acute and consequential mucosal radiation reactions in patients with head and neck cancer treated by continuous accelerated irradiation (CAIR)

Abstract

Acute mucosal and late radiation responses on continuous accelerated irradiation (CAIR) were evaluated and compared with a conventional treatment (control arm) in 85 patients with head and neck cancer. Confluent mucositis was significantly more severe and maximum score lasting longer in CAIR than in control arm. In the CAIR group 5 (22%) late effects (osteo- and soft tissue necrosis) occured early during 2–4 month of follow-up compare to 5% (1 patient) in control group. There was significant correlation between severity of acute reactions and these late effects in CAIR arm, suggesting that they were consequential. The risk of consequential effects could be predicted by proposed time-area units system of integral acute mucosal reaction.