Radiation Therapy of Head and Neck Paragangliomas: Experience from Radiotherapy Department at the National Institute of Oncology in Rabat (Morocco)

Background and Purpose: Paragangliomas are rare tumors of the head and neck. Their management remains problematic and varies considerably depending on the center. This study reported 14 years of experience in the management of head and neck paraganglioma (HNPGls). We aimed to assess the therapeutic results of these tumors in terms of local control and overall survival. Materials and Methods: We included 16 patients followed for HNPGls and treated by radiotherapy from January 2006 to June 2018 in the National Institute of Oncology in Rabat. Results: The median age was 44.5 years (15 - 67). 13 patients were female and three male with a sex ratio of 4.3. Cervical mass was the common sign (56.3%). All patients received radiation therapy. This radiation was exclusive in 43.7% of cases or adjuvant to partial surgical resection in 56.3%. The median dose of radiotherapy was 54 Gy (46 - 60) and it was delivered by a three-dimensional conformal radiotherapy technique in 15 patients and volumetric modulated arc therapy in one. There were few acute complications such as grade I and II mucositis and dermatitis. After a median follow-up of 5.6 years (2 - 13.4), local control, defined by radiological stability or regression, was obtained in 14 patients, two patients progressed and one died. Progression-free survival rates at 5 and 7 years were 93.8% and 78.1% respectively, and overall survival at 5 and 7 years was 92.3%. Conclusions: Surgery is the first-line treatment for HNPGls. When surgery is not possible or incomplete, radiotherapy has its place in the therapeutic strategy of this rare disease for long-term local control.