Palliative Hypofractionated Radiotherapy in Advanced Squamous Cell Carcinoma of Head and Neck

  • Deepa Gautam
  • Arati Shah
Keywords: Hypofractionated Radiotherapy, Head and Neck Cancer, Palliative Radiotherapy

Abstract

Introduction: A significant proportion of patients with advanced squamous cell carcinoma of head and neck
(HNSCC) are unsuitable for radical treatment and we aim to evaluate the acute toxicity, symptom relief and disease
response after palliative hypofractionated radiotherapy in such patients.
Methods: A prospective observational study was conducted from November 2014 to November 2015 at the
Department of Radiation Oncology, B.P. Koirala Memorial Cancer Hospital, Bharatpur in 30 patients with stage III
or stage IV HNSCC who received radiotherapy of 30 Gy in 10 fractions over two weeks. Pain, dysphagia, insomnia
and dyspnoea at presentation were assessed using 11 point numerical scale. Acute treatment toxicities were
assessed using Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events (CTCAE) at the end of two weeks. After six weeks
of completion of radiotherapy, percentage of symptom relief and disease response based on Response Evaluation
Criteria in Solid Tumors (RECIST) were recorded. A few patients were selected for further curative radiotherapy.
Results: Common symptoms were pain (86.7%) and dysphagia (50%). Two-third of patients with pain and
dysphagia, and about 90% patients with dyspnoea and insomnia had more than 75% symptom relief. An objective
response rate of 70% and disease progression of 13.3% were observed. Acute radiation toxicities were acceptable
with no grade 3 or 4 toxicities. It was observed that 46.3% of patients had mucositis, 13.3% had dysphagia, and
6.7 % had hoarseness and dermatitis each.
Conclusion: Palliative radiotherapy is a suitable modality of treatment for patients with advanced HNSCC for
symptom relief and tumour control, with acceptable toxicity.

Published
2020-09-28