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Purpose: To determine the proportion of patients undergoing palliative radiotherapy (RT) for bone pain who would like to participate in the decision-making process, and to determine their choice of palliative RT regimen (2000 cGy in five fractions vs. 800 cGy in one fraction) for painful bone metastases. Methods and Materials: Eligible patients were approached and all patients agreeing to participate provided written informed consent. Patients’ decisional preferences were studied using a five-statement preference instrument. A decision board was used to help patients decide their preferred palliative RT regimen. Factors influencing patients’ choices were studied using a visual analog scale. Results: A total of 101 patients were enrolled in the study (55 women and 46 men). The preferences for decision-making were as follows: 30 active, 47 collaborative, and 24 passive. Most (55 [76%] of 72) patients favored one fraction of palliative RT (95% confidence interval, 65–86%). Patients were more likely to select the 800 cGy in one fraction because of the convenience of the treatment plan (odds ratio, 1.024; 95% confidence interval, 1.004–1044) but were less likely to choose it because of the chance of bone fracture (odds ratio, 0.973; 95% confidence interval, 0.947–1.000) compared with 2000 cGy in five fractions. Conclusion: Most participating patients preferred to decide either by themselves or with the radiation oncologists which treatment option they preferred. An 800-cGy-in-one-fraction regimen was favored, independent of the treated site. The convenience of the treatment plan and the likelihood of bone fracture were the most important factors influencing patients’ choice.

Purpose: To evaluate the efficacy and toxicity of fractionated stereotactic radiotherapy (FSRT) for vestibular schwannomas in patients treated at two university-affiliated hospitals. Methods and Materials: Thirty-nine patients were treated between April 1996 and September 2000. The median age was 56 years (range: 29–80), and median maximal tumor diameter was 20 mm (range: 9–40). A total of 11 patients had fifth and/or seventh cranial nerve dysfunction before irradiation; 2 patients had only facial weakness, 5 patients had only facial numbness, and 4 patients had both facial weakness and numbness. Thirty-three patients were treated with primary FSRT, and 6 patients were treated for recurrent or persistent disease after previous surgery. All patients were treated with 6-MV photons using a stereotactic system with a relocatable frame. The 39 patients received 50 Gy in 25 fractions over 5 weeks. Median follow-up was 21.8 months (range: 4.4–49.6). Results: Local control was achieved in 37 patients (95%). Two patients experienced deterioration of their symptoms at 3 and 20 months as a result of clinical progression in one case and tumor progression in the other and underwent surgery post FSRT. A total of 19/28 (67.9%) patients preserved serviceable hearing after FSRT. Deterioration of the facial and trigeminal nerves was observed in only 2 patients who were treated with surgery post FSRT. Conclusion: FSRT provided excellent tumor control with minimal morbidity and good hearing preservation in this cohort of patients. Longer follow-up is required to confirm long-term control rates.

Purpose: The use of radical radiotherapy and surgery for salvage (RRSS) in locally advanced squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) of the larynx is controversial. In the absence of randomized studies, it is unclear if RRSS can match the rates of locoregional control and survival reported for primary surgery in this setting. The aim of this study was to compare treatment outcomes of radiotherapy and surgery in comparable patients with CS III–IV SCC of the larynx. Methods and Materials: Eighty-two patients with untreated T2N+M0 or T3T4NM0 SCC of the larynx were treated with a policy RRSS at the Toronto–Sunnybrook Regional Cancer Centre between June 1980 and December 1990. The medical records at presentation were reviewed independently by a panel of three surgical oncologists blinded as to treatment outcome to determine patient suitability for laryngectomy and neck dissection using eligibility criteria adopted by recent clinical trials. Treatment outcomes for surgery-eligible patients were compared to results of comparably staged patients in the surgical literature since 1980. Results: Sixty-three patients (77%) were eligible for study. With a median follow-up of 3 years, radiotherapy controlled the primary in 8/20 evaluable glottic primaries and 21/41 evaluable supraglottic primaries. Forty-five percent of patients surviving 5 years retained a functional larynx. Sixteen of 29 relapsing patients were salvaged with surgery. Disease above the clavicles was controlled in 65% of T3T4N0N+ glottic primaries (compared to a published range of 53% to 79%) and 82% of T3N0 glottic primaries (compared to a published range of 69% to 84%). The 5-year overall survival of patients with T3T4 glottic cancer was 54% compared to a published range of 50% to 63%. The cause-specific survival (CSS) of patients with T3N0 glottic primaries (86% at 1 year and 73% at 2 years) was identical to the only published report of CSS in the surgical literature. Conclusion: A policy of RRSS offers a good chance of laryngeal conservation without compromising ultimate locoregional control or survival when compared to primary laryngectomy and neck dissection in patients with locally advanced carcinoma of the larynx meeting the surgical eligibility of clinical trials.

Purpose: To determine the toxicity, maximum tolerated dose (MTD), and clinical effectiveness of a 5-week course of accelerated radiotherapy with delayed concomitant boost in locally advanced squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck (SCCHN). Methods and Materials: Thirty-five patients with untreated T3T4NM0 or TN2 (> 3 cm) N3M0 SCC of the oral cavity, oropharynx, hypopharynx, or larynx were entered in the study between January 1994 and October 1997. The initial target volume was treated with conventional daily fractions. A small field boost covering gross disease was added as a second daily fraction during the last 2 weeks of the 5-week schedule, using a minimum interfraction interval of 6 h. The study was initiated using 180-cGy fractions to deliver a total dose of 63 Gy over 33–35 days. A classical dose escalation strategy was planned to increase the delivered dose in steps using minimum cohorts of three patients, up to a maximum of 70 Gy in 200-cGy fractions. Results: In the dose escalation study, 4 patients were entered at level 1 (63 Gy), 9 at level 2 (65 Gy), and 8 at level 3 (67 Gy). One patient was withdrawn at level 2 because of unstable angina, and 1 at level 3 because of uncontrolled diabetes. One patient at level 3 failed to complete treatment because of radiation toxicity. RTOG Grade 3 mucositis, dermatitis, or pharyngitis was documented in 1 (25%), 5 (63%), and 7 (100%) evaluable patients at levels 1, 2, and 3, respectively. Grade 4 reactions were documented in 1 patient at each level. One patient at level 3 died 5 weeks post-treatment of unknown causes. Two additional patients at level 3 died of progressive disease and RT toxicity. Sixty-five Gy (level 2) was chosen as the MTD. In the MTD study, 14 additional patients were entered at level 2, providing a total of 22 evaluable patients with a median follow-up of 21 months (range 12–41 months). Grade 3 mucositis, dermatitis, or pharyngitis were documented in 11 (50%), 8 (36%), and 6 (27%) patients, respectively. One patient developed Grade 4 mucositis. A complete response was recorded in 16 (77%). Three of 5 patients with uncontrolled disease and 3 of 3 patients with recurrent disease underwent salvage surgery with no postoperative complications. Radiotherapy controlled disease above the clavicles in 14 (68%). Ultimate locoregional control was achieved in 17 (77%). The disease-free, overall, and cause-specific survival of all patients entered at level 2 was 56%, 76%, and 80%, respectively, at 2 years. Late complications have been limited to 3 patients (trismus, chronic mucosal ulcer, and soft tissue necrosis). Conclusion: A 5-week course of accelerated radiotherapy with delayed concomitant boost can deliver 65 Gy with acceptable toxicity, encouraging rates of complete response, and locoregional control, and no compromise of salvage surgery in patients with locally advanced SCCHN. The regimen is worthy of further study in a Phase III trial.