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Proton therapy (PT) is a promising development in radiation oncology, with the potential to further improve outcomes for patients with squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck (HNSCC). By utilizing the finite range of protons, healthy tissue can be spared from beam exit doses that would otherwise be irradiated with photon-based treatments. Current evidence on PT for HNSCC is limited to comparative dosimetric analyses and retrospective single-institution series. As a consequence, the recognized indications for the reimbursement of PT remain scarce in most countries. Nevertheless, approximately 100 PT centers are in operation worldwide, and initial experiences for HNSCC are being reported. This review aims to summarize the results of the early clinical experience with PT for HNSCC and the challenges that are currently faced.

Radiotherapy is the primary treatment modality for nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC). Successful curative treatment requires optimal radiotherapy planning and precise beam delivery that maximizes locoregional control while minimizing treatment-related side effects. In this article, we highlight considerations in target delineation, radiation dose, and the adoption of technological advances with the aim of optimizing the benefits of radiotherapy in NPC patients.

Item does not contain fulltext, Up to 85% of the patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma present with regional nodal metastasis. Although excellent nodal control is achieved with radiotherapy, a thorough understanding of the current TNM staging criteria and pattern of nodal spread is essential to optimize target delineation and minimize unnecessary irradiation to adjacent normal tissue. Selective nodal irradiation with sparing of the lower neck and submandibular region according to individual nodal risk is now emerging as the preferred treatment option. There has also been continual refinement in staging classification by incorporating relevant adverse nodal features. As for the uncommon occurrence of recurrent nodal metastasis after radiotherapy, surgery remains the standard of care.

INTRODUCTION: As a result of the increased use of radiotherapy (RT) and improved long-term overall survival of patients with cancers of the head and neck (HN), the frequency of radiation-induced sarcomas of the head and neck (RISHN) may be increasing. The main objective of this systematic review was to determine the existing evidence on the frequency, treatment, and outcome of RISHN. METHODS: Using PRISMA guidelines we conducted a systematic review of the literature published from 2000 to 2020. RESULTS: Our review includes data of 560 patients from 64 articles. The total frequency of RISHNs among the reviewed series was 0.15%. The most frequent location of the primary tumor treated by RT was the nasopharynx. The mean RT dose used was 62 Gy, mean latency interval between irradiation and occurrence of RISHN was 11.1 years, and the most common RISHN location was the sinonasal region. Osteosarcoma was the principal histology, followed by fibrosarcoma. Surgery was the most frequently applied treatment modality. Of all patients with RISHN, 40.7% died of this disease after a mean interval of 13.9 months. CONCLUSIONS: Notwithstanding the increased use of RT, the number of reported RISHNs has not increased substantially during the past two decades. Surgery with wide margins forms the best therapeutic option for these cases, but the outcome remains poor.

Contains fulltext : 203195.pdf (publisher's version ) (Closed access), It is traditionally accepted that subglottic carcinoma has a worse prognosis than tumors arising in other subsites of the larynx, owing to its tendency to present in advanced stages, with a high incidence of cartilage invasion and extralaryngeal spread. The incidence of subglottic carcinoma varies among series, mainly because there is no uniform definition of the upper boundary of the subglottis. The extent of the tumor may be difficult to define because subglottic carcinoma may spread through the submucosa without visible mucosal changes. There is also a rich lymphatic network in the subglottis draining to the prelaryngeal and paratracheal lymph nodes, which are usually not involved by cancers arising in other laryngeal subsites. Current literature data indicates that early-stage subglottic carcinoma can be treated using radiotherapy or chemoradiotherapy with high locoregional control and survival rates. In advanced stage subglottic carcinoma, combination of surgery followed by radiotherapy or chemoradiotherapy resulted in comparable outcomes, as in advanced carcinomas from the rest of the larynx. Stage for stage, it is likely that the prognosis for subglottic carcinoma and of glottic and supraglottic cancers is similar.

A wide variety of tumors, both benign and malignant, occur in the parapharyngeal space. Depending on histology and extent, treatment may include surgery and/or radiotherapy (RT). Herein we discuss the role of RT in the management of some of the more commonly encountered neoplasms, including salivary gland tumors, paragangliomas, schwannomas, and soft-tissue sarcomas.

It is traditionally accepted that subglottic carcinoma has a worse prognosis than tumors arising in other subsites of the larynx, owing to its tendency to present in advanced stages, with a high incidence of cartilage invasion and extralaryngeal spread. The incidence of subglottic carcinoma varies among series, mainly because there is no uniform definition of the upper boundary of the subglottis. The extent of the tumor may be difficult to define because subglottic carcinoma may spread through the submucosa without visible mucosal changes. There is also a rich lymphatic network in the subglottis draining to the prelaryngeal and paratracheal lymph nodes, which are usually not involved by cancers arising in other laryngeal subsites. Current literature data indicates that early-stage subglottic carcinoma can be treated using radiotherapy or chemoradiotherapy with high locoregional control and survival rates. In advanced stage subglottic carcinoma, combination of surgery followed by radiotherapy or chemoradiotherapy resulted in comparable outcomes, as in advanced carcinomas from the rest of the larynx. Stage for stage, it is likely that the prognosis for subglottic carcinoma and of glottic and supraglottic cancers is similar.

Background: The aim of this study was to evaluate the outcomes in patients treated for hypopharyngeal carcinoma in a single-center and the importance of considering how patient factors influence outcomes. Methods: A retrospective review was conducted on patients who were seen at the Prince of Wales Hospital from 1968 to 2015. Kaplan-Meier and Cox regression analyses were performed for each patient and treatment factor to investigate outcomes of local control, cancer-specific survival (CSS), and ultimate local control. Results: Three hundred thirty patients were analyzed. Significant multivariate predictors for improved local control and CSS were fitness for surgery, cancer operability, surgery with adjuvant radiotherapy, no treatment interruptions (P <.05). Five-year local control (84%), CSS (50%), and ultimate local control (84%) rates were significantly higher in patients treated surgically with adjuvant radiotherapy, compared to single modality treatment (P <.05). Conclusion: Patient factors influence the outcomes experienced by patients with hypopharyngeal carcinoma.

The objective of this review is to discuss factors related to the risk of osteoradionecrosis (ORN) and how to minimize the likelihood of this complication. A PubMed search for publications pertaining to ORN within the last 3 years was conducted revealing 44 publications. The bibliographies of these publications were reviewed to identify additional references spanning a longer time period. The incidence of ORN is 5% to 10% with a median latency period of 1 to 2 years or less. The likelihood of ORN depends on a number of factors including primary site and extent of disease, dental status, treatment modality, radiotherapy (RT) dose, volume of mandible included in the planning target volume, RT fractionation schedule and technique, and teeth extractions. The risk of ORN may be reduced by limiting the RT dose and volume of mandible irradiated without increasing the risk of a local-regional recurrence due to a marginal miss.

Purpose: To review the current aspects of knowledge related to the risk of cerebrovascular events in patients receiving head and neck radiotherapy. Methods: A literature search was performed in PubMed. Papers meeting selection criteria were reviewed. Results: We provide an update on the problem by identifying key studies that have contributed to our current understanding of the epidemiology, radiologic features, pathogenesis, and treatment of the disease. The incidence of carotid artery stenosis ranged from 18 to 38% in patients who underwent radiotherapy for head and neck cancer versus from 0 to 9.2% among the nonirradiated patients. Neck irradiation increases the intima-media thickness of the carotid artery wall. These changes are the earliest visible alteration in the carotid wall and are also detected with color Doppler ultrasonography. Endovascular treatment with a carotid angioplasty and stenting is the first-line treatment for most symptomatic patients. Conclusions: Radiation-induced atherosclerosis is a different and accelerated form of atherosclerosis, which implies a more aggressive disease with a different biologic behavior. The disease is characterized by a high rate of carotid artery stenosis compared to those observed in nonirradiated control group patients. To prevent the risk of stroke, surveillance and imaging with ultrasonography should enable detection of severe stenosis. Endovascular treatment with a carotid angioplasty and stenting has been proposed as an attractive and minimally invasive alternative for some radiation-induced stenoses.

Background: Cancer is a common disease and radiotherapy is one well-established treatment for some solid tumours. Hyperbaric oxygenation therapy (HBOT) may improve the ability of radiotherapy to kill hypoxic cancer cells, so the administration of radiotherapy while breathing hyperbaric oxygen may result in a reduction in mortality and recurrence. Objectives: To assess the benefits and harms of administering radiotherapy for the treatment of malignant tumours while breathing HBO. Search methods: In September 2017 we searched the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL), the Cochrane Library Issue 8, 2017, MEDLINE, Embase, and the Database of Randomised Trials in Hyperbaric Medicine using the same strategies used in 2011 and 2015, and examined the reference lists of included articles. Selection criteria: Randomised and quasi-randomised studies comparing the outcome of malignant tumours following radiation therapy while breathing HBO versus air or an alternative sensitising agent. Data collection and analysis: Three review authors independently evaluated the quality of and extracted data from the included trials. Main results: We included 19 trials in this review (2,286 participants: 1,103 allocated to HBOT and 1,153 to control). For head and neck cancer, there was an overall reduction in the risk of dying at both one year and five years after therapy (risk ratio (RR) 0.83, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.70 to 0.98, number needed to treat for an additional beneficial outcome (NNTB) = 11 and RR 0.82, 95% CI 0.69 to 0.98, high-quality evidence), and some evidence of improved local tumour control immediately following irradiation (RR with HBOT 0.58, 95% CI 0.39 to 0.85, moderate-quality evidence due to imprecision). There was a lower incidence of local recurrence of tumour when using HBOT at both one and five years (RR at one year 0.66, 95% CI 0.56 to 0.78, high-quality evidence; RR at five years 0.77, 95% CI 0.62 to 0.95, moderate-quality evidence due to

Objectives To assess five-year local control and ultimate local control rates of patients treated for locally advanced T3-4 glottic carcinoma with surgery only, radiotherapy only, or surgery plus radiotherapy. Cancer-specific survival, overall survival and rates of malignancy development were also assessed. Methods A retrospective review was conducted on patients from 1967 to 2015, with analysis of local control, ultimate local control, overall survival and cancer-specific survival performed using Kaplan-Meier and Cox regression. Results Of 169 eligible patients, the majority (59 per cent) were treated with surgery plus radiotherapy, with laryngectomy being the most common surgical procedure. Local control and ultimate local control rates were higher with surgery only (94.1 per cent) and surgery plus radiotherapy (87.9 and 86.8 per cent respectively), compared to radiotherapy only (46.8 and 52.4 per cent) (both p < 0.001). Cancer-specific survival, overall survival and malignancy development did not differ between groups. Conclusion Surgery, with or without radiotherapy, offers significantly higher five-year local control and ultimate local control for patients with advanced glottic carcinoma, compared to radiotherapy only.

Radiotherapy (RT) is used to treat approximately 80% of patients with cancer of the head and neck. Despite enormous advances in RT planning and delivery, a significant number of patients will experience radiation-associated toxicities, especially those treated with concurrent systemic agents. Many effective management options are available for acute RT-associated toxicities, but treatment options are much more limited and of variable benefit among patients who develop late sequelae after RT. The adverse impact of developing late tissue damage in irradiated patients may range from bothersome symptoms that negatively affect their quality of life to severe life-threatening complications. In the region of the head and neck, among the most problematic late effects are impaired function of the salivary glands and swallowing apparatus. Other tissues and structures in the region may be at risk, depending mainly on the location of the irradiated tumor relative to the mandible and hearing apparatus. Here, we review the available evidence on the use of different therapeutic strategies to alleviate common late sequelae of RT in head and neck cancer patients, with a focus on the critical assessment of the treatment options for xerostomia, dysphagia, mandibular osteoradionecrosis, trismus, and hearing loss.

Stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) is a frequently used non-surgical procedure to treat benign and malignant brain lesions. Few studies have focused on patient perceptions of SRS. The aims of this patient-focused study were to assess patient experiences of SRS, and changes in patient-reported symptoms over 12 weeks post-SRS. Using the 6-point Likert Scoring Scale in a diary-format for a less discriminatory evaluation, patients self-reported presence or absence, and severity of physical and psychological symptoms within 24 h, 1-week, and 12-weeks post-SRS. Non-parametric repeated measures ANOVA was used to evaluate changes in symptoms. Of the 748 recruited patients, 690 returned the first diary (92%), while 564 patients returned all three diaries for matched responses analysis (82%). Three-quarters of 690 patients reported receiving clear verbal explanations and printed material prior to their procedure, and 99% reported the clinical team were ‘very supportive’ or gave ‘wonderful care’. Fatigue (82%) and headaches (65%) were the most frequently reported symptoms within 24-h post-SRS. Over 12 weeks, patients reported significant reductions in headache, nausea, fatigue, anxiety and tension (p < 0.001); loss of balance and concentration significantly increased by 12-weeks post-SRS (p < 0.001). Some patients attributed symptoms such as fatigue or headaches to the demands of the procedure day. Findings of this study reflect the need to further research patients’ physical and psychological symptoms post-SRS, which may differ from the clinicians’ perception of the effects of treatment.

Background: Advanced-stage olfactory neuroblastoma requires multimodal therapy for optimal outcomes. Debate exists over endoscopic endonasal surgery in this situation. Stage-matched open and endoscopic surgical therapy were compared. Methods: Patients from 6 cancer institutions were assessed. Stratification included dural involvement, Kadish stage, nodal disease, Hyams' grade, approach, and margin status. At follow-up, local control, nodal status, and evidence of distant metastases were recorded with any subsequent therapy. Statistical analyses to identify risk factors for developing recurrence and survival differences were performed. Results: One hundred nine patients were assessed (age 49.2 ± 13.0 years; 46% women) representing Kadish A stage (10%), Kadish B stage (25%), and Kadish C stage (65%). The majority of the patients (61.5%) underwent endoscopic resection, 53.5% within Kadish C stage. Within-stage survival analysis favored endoscopic subgroup for Kadish C stage (log-rank P =.017) nonsignificant for Kadish B stage (log-rank P =.39). Conclusion: Stage-matched survival was better for the endoscopically treated group compared to the open surgery group, with high negative margin resections obtained.

Contains fulltext : 170923.pdf (publisher's version ) (Closed access), HPV-related (HPV+) oropharyngeal cancer (OPC) has a better prognosis compared to HPV unrelated (HPV-) OPC. This review summarizes and discusses several of the controversies regarding the management of HPV+ OPC, including the mechanism of its treatment sensitivity, modern surgical techniques, chemotherapy regimens, and treatment de-intensification protocols. We also discuss and reconsider potential adverse prognostic factors such as tumor EGFR expression, tumor hypoxia, and patient smoking history, as well as the significance of retropharyngeal adenopathy. Finally, we discuss elective nodal treatment of uninvolved lymph node stations. While this review does not exhaust all controversies related to the management of HPV+ OPC, it aims to highlight some of the most clinically relevant ones.