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Background: To assess the efficacy of prophylactic versus reactive feeding strategy in oral cavity squamous cell carcinoma (OCSCC) patients receiving adjuvant radiation therapy (RT)., Methods: This was a post hoc analysis of patients of OCSCC enrolled in a randomized trial comparing three adjuvant strategies. In this trial, till 2010, a prophylactic feeding approach was followed for all patients. Since January 2011, a reactive feeding approach was followed., Results: Two hundred and sixty-eight in each cohort (total n = 526) were eligible for analysis after propensity score matching. At 6 weeks post-RT completion, the median weight loss in the prophylactic versus reactive cohort was 5 versus 3 kg, p = 0.002. At all other time points until 1 year, the median weight loss was lesser in reactive than in the prophylactic cohort., Conclusions: A reactive feeding tube approach should be preferred for OCSCC receiving adjuvant RT., (© 2023 Wiley Periodicals LLC.)

Background: Patients with head and neck cancer were treated with either 70 Gy in 35 fractions (Arm A) or 66 Gy in 30 fractions (Arm B)., Materials and Methods: Total 168 patients of carcinoma oropharynx, larynx, and hypopharynx treated with radical chemoradiation in two Arm A versus B (65 vs. 103 patients)., Results: With a median follow-up of 16 months (0-67), 2 year disease-free survival (DFS) and overall survival (OS) was 56.3% versus 62.1% (p = 0.64) and 44.5% versus 53.0% (p = 0.51) in Arm A versus B. Total 22 (33.8%) versus 28 (27.2%) failed locoregionally. Majority of failures were infield for both primary (17 vs. 23 cases) and nodes (13 vs. 12) in Arm A versus B. Ten (71.4%) vs. 10 (76.9%) had nodal failure in index nodal level only., Conclusion: Commonly seen failure in head-neck radical chemoradiation is within infield high-risk volume, nodal failure being most common in index nodal level., (© 2022 Wiley Periodicals LLC.)

Background: To assess the efficacy of intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) for tumors of the nasal cavity and paranasal sinus (PNS) region., Materials and Methods: Two hundred fourteen patients with tumors of the nasal cavity and PNS region treated with curative intent IMRT between 2007 and 2019 were included in this retrospective analysis., Results: Fifty-one (24.1%) received definitive RT/CTRT and 163 (75.9%) received adjuvant RT. Most common histology was squamous cell carcinoma (26.1%) followed by adenoid cystic carcinoma (21.5%). The median follow-up was 43.5 months. The 5-year local control (LC), event-free survival (EFS), and overall survival (OS) for the entire cohort was 66.9%, 59%, and 73.9%, respectively. On univariate analysis treatment with nonsurgical modality, T classification and undifferentiated/poorly differentiated histology were associated with inferior 5-year LC, EFS, and OS. Four patients had late Grade 3/Grade 4 ocular toxicity., Conclusions: IMRT should be the standard of care for tumors of PNS region across all histologies and treatment setting., (© 2021 Wiley Periodicals LLC.)

Background: To identify clinicoradiological factors that determine functional outcomes in laryngopharyngeal cancers treated with chemoradiotherapy., Methods: One hundred patients of locally advanced laryngopharyngeal cancers who were treated with chemoradiotherapy were accrued in this prospective study. The coprimary endpoint of the study was local control (LC) and functional larynx preservation survival (FLPS)., Results: The median follow-up was 39 months. Thirty-nine patients had a local failure of which 17 underwent a salvage laryngectomy. A dysfunctional larynx with clinic-radiologically disease was seen in only 1 patient. Factors significant for LC were thyroid cartilage erosion/lysis and cricoarytenoid joint involvement. Within the T4a subset, patients with exolaryngeal disease through the soft tissue framework had significantly better LC and FLPS than those with cartilage erosion/lysis., Conclusions: Patients with limited exolaryngeal disease through the soft-tissue framework can be considered for functional organ preservation, while those with thyroid cartilage involvement and cricoarytenoid joint involvement are not suitable., (© 2020 Wiley Periodicals LLC.)

Background: We aimed to investigate whether depth of invasion (DOI) should be an independent indication for postoperative radiotherapy (PORT) in small oral squamous cell carcinomas (SCC)., Methods: Retrospective analysis of DOI (<5, 5 to <10, ≥10 mm) and disease-specific survival (DSS) in a multi-institutional international cohort of 1409 patients with oral SCC ≤4 cm in size treated between 1990-2011., Results: In patients without other adverse factors (nodal metastases; close [<5 mm] or involved margins), there was no association between DOI and DSS, with an excellent prognosis irrespective of depth. In the absence of PORT, the 5-year disease-specific mortality was 10% with DOI ≥10 mm, 8% with DOI 5-10 mm, and 6% with DOI <5 mm (P = .169), yielding an absolute risk difference of only 4%., Conclusion: The deterioration in prognosis with increasing DOI largely reflects an association with other adverse features. In the absence of these, depth alone should not be an indication for PORT outside a clinical trial., (© 2019 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.)

Background: Grade ≥2 acute xerostomia between 3D conformal radiotherapy (RT) and intensity-modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) was evaluated in patients with head and neck squamous cell carcinomas (HNSCCs) treated radically., Methods: Between 2005 and 2007, 59 patients with HNSCC (T1-3, N0-2b) were randomized to IMRT or 3D-RT. On RT, weekly xerostomia, dysphagia, dermatitis, and mucositis were graded by Radiation Therapy Oncology Group (RTOG) acute toxicity criteria. Patients underwent examination under anesthesia, positron emission tomography (PET)-CT, and toxicity assessments per protocol (NCT00652613) thereafter., Results: Incidence of grade ≥2 xerostomia at 8 weeks posttreatment was significantly lower with IMRT compared with 3D conformal RT (24% vs 53%; p = .024). At subsequent follow-up, significantly fewer patients receiving IMRT had grade ≥2 xerostomia. Long-term weight loss was higher in patients in the 3D conformal RT arm compared to IMRT (50% vs 21%; p = .038). Disease-related outcomes between arms (median follow-up, 70 months) were similar., Conclusion: IMRT significantly reduces incidence of acute and late grade ≥2 xerostomia in patients with HNSCC. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Head Neck 38: E1481-E1487, 2016., (© 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.)

Background: Treatment intensification by using chemoradiotherapy (CRT) or altered fractionation radiotherapy (RT) improves outcomes in locoregionally advanced head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC)., Methods: Two comprehensive meta-analyses with similar control arms (conventionally fractionated RT) were compared indirectly., Results: The hazard ratio (HR) of death with 95% confidence interval (CI) for the overall comparison of altered fractionation RT with concomitant CRT was 1.13 (95% CI, 0.97-1.29; p = .07) suggesting no significant difference between both approaches. Compared to concomitant CRT, the HR for death was 1.01 (95% CI, 0.89-1.15; p = .82); 1.22 (95% CI, 0.94-1.59; p = .13); and 1.22 (95% CI, 1.07-1.39; p = .002) for hyperfractionated RT; accelerated RT without total dose reduction; and accelerated RT with total dose reduction, respectively., Conclusion: Concomitant CRT and hyperfractionated RT are comparable to one another on indirect comparison in the radiotherapeutic management of locoregionally advanced HNSCC. Any form of acceleration (with or without total dose reduction) may not compensate fully for lack of chemotherapy., (© 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.)

Background: Oral cancer is the most common cancer in Indian males and is the third most common cancer in Indian females. Tobacco, alcohol, areca nut, and human papillomavirus (HPV) are the common etiologic factors. Each of these agents follows a unique model of carcinogenesis that leads to a certain distinct presentation and behavior. For example, HPV is strongly associated with oropharyngeal cancers in younger age and is known to have a better outcome and specific histopathologic characteristics. A high incidence of oral submucous fibrosis (OSMF) is linked to areca nut (group 1 human carcinogen) chewing in the Indian subcontinent., Methods: We prospectively studied 371 consecutive patients with proven squamous cell carcinoma of the oral cavity. Of these, 112 patients had oral cancer with OSMF and 259 had oral cancer without OSMF. All patients underwent standard management and their clinicopathologic findings were recorded., Results: We found that patients of oral cancer with OSMF are younger males with better prognostic factors such as better grade of tumor differentiation, lesser incidence of nodal metastases, and extracapsular spread. This difference was maintained even after matching for stage. We also report that presence of OSMF is an independent factor influencing nodal metastases., Conclusions: Based on these findings we propose that oral cancers with OSMF constitute a clinicopathologically distinct disease. Since all patients with OSMF had chewed areca nut with or without smokeless tobacco, we believe that the differences in the 2 groups emanate from differential mechanisms of areca nut carcinogenesis., (Copyright © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.)

Background: Head and neck cancer has increased incidence of comorbidity due to tobacco and alcohol use., Methods: Two hundred consecutive patients were included in this cross-sectional study. Data on clinico-demographic characteristics and comorbidity was extracted from case records. Comorbidity was assessed with Adult Comorbidity Evaluation 27 (ACE-27) and Charlson Comorbidity Index (CCI). Change in therapeutic decision-making from institutional evidence-based guidelines was classified as low, medium, or high-impact., Results: Of 200 patients, 68(34%) had comorbidity while 15 had multimorbidity. No change in therapeutic decision-making was seen in 139 patients (69.5%), 61patients (30.5%) had change from institutional evidence-based guidelines. There was strong positive correlation (Spearman's correlation coefficient = 0.80; p < .001) between ACE-27 and change in therapeutic decision-making. For CCI, there was moderate positive correlation (Spearman's correlation coefficient = 0.50; p < .001)., Conclusion: Comorbidity in patients with head and neck cancer can influence therapeutic decision-making. Prospective longitudinal rigorous collection of comorbidity data is warranted for correlation with outcomes. ACE-27 may be a clinically more meaningful tool for comorbidity assessment., (Copyright © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.)

Background: Fanconi's anemia (FA) is a rare autosomal recessive genetic disorder characterized by congenital anomalies, progressive aplastic anemia, and a predisposition for malignancies. Solid tumors in the head and neck region, especially in the tongue, are rarely observed. Management of these patients is a challenge because of hematological complications and increased toxicities., Methods: We report a case of Fanconi's anemia in a 27-year-old man with carcinoma of the base of tongue (T2N0M0) who was treated with radical radiation therapy to a dose of 70 Gy/35 fractions/51 days. We have also done in vitro radiosensitivity tests., Results: The patient tolerated the radiation treatment well and completed it without any interruptions. In vitro studies did not show any increased radiosensitivity in this patient., Conclusion: Head and neck cancer in a patient with FA requires individualized treatment. The decision about opting for different modalities should be based on a balanced approach with respect to locoregional control and toxicities of the treatment., (© 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.)