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Radiotherapy for head and neck cancer: costs and benefits of time, dose and volume
Umeå University, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Radiation Sciences, Oncology. Cancercentrum, VLL.
2017 (English)Doctoral thesis, comprehensive summary (Other academic)Alternative title
Radioterapi för huvud-, halscancer : risk och nytta av tid, dos och volym (Swedish)
Abstract [en]

Background In the treatment of head and neck cancers (HNCs), radiotherapy (RT) has the advantage of organ preservation compared to surgery. However, treatment toxicities associated with RT can affect important functions for everyday life, both in the acute and late stage. RT to macroscopic tumour in HNC is commonly combined with elective RT to cervical lymph nodes at risk of microscopic involvement. The resulting risk reduction of the elective treatment based on dose-volume parameters is sparsely evaluated. So is the relationship between the elective treatment and treatment toxicity. The present thesis addresses these aspects.

A strategy aimed at improving the outcome of RT is accelerated fractionation (AF). AF strives to shorten total treatment time to minimise proliferation of the tumour tissue during the RT period. We have investigated the impact of AF on both disease control and toxicity.

Methods In the ARTSCAN study, 750 patients with localised HNC were randomised between AF (68 Gy in 4.5 weeks) and conventional fractionation (CF) (68 Gy in 7 weeks). The elective treatment volume was prescribed 46 Gy with CF in both treatment arms. The thesis is based on four individual papers, investigating the issues above in the whole study population or in sub-populations.

Results No difference in disease control or late toxicity between CF and AF was observed at five years. However, there was an increased acute toxicity with AF. Weight loss was associated with treatment volume, independent of tumour stage. The elective treatment volume was found to be an independent risk factor for late aspiration, as well as mean dose to the pharyngeal constrictor muscles, neck dissection, and age at randomisation. There was a significant risk reduction for node relapses in volumes treated to an elective dose. Only a relapse in volumes treated to >60 Gy affected the survival.

Conclusion The present thesis questions the benefit of AF in definitive RT as well as extensive elective treatment of the cervical nodes.

Place, publisher, year, edition, pages
Umeå: Umeå Universitet , 2017. , p. 29
Series
Umeå University medical dissertations, ISSN 0346-6612 ; 1880
Keywords [en]
radiotherapy, head and neck cancer, adjuvant treatment, accelerated fractionation
National Category
Cancer and Oncology
Research subject
Biomedical Radiation Science
Identifiers
URN: urn:nbn:se:umu:diva-131021ISBN: 978-91-7601-646-6 (print)OAI: oai:DiVA.org:umu-131021DiVA, id: diva2:1070738
Public defence
2017-02-24, Sal 933, Norrlands Universitetssjukhus, Umeå, 09:00 (Swedish)
Opponent
Supervisors
Available from: 2017-02-03 Created: 2017-02-02 Last updated: 2018-06-09Bibliographically approved
List of papers
1. Mature results from a Swedish comparison study of conventional versus accelerated radiotherapy in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma - The ARTSCAN trial
Open this publication in new window or tab >>Mature results from a Swedish comparison study of conventional versus accelerated radiotherapy in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma - The ARTSCAN trial
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2015 (English)In: Radiotherapy and Oncology, ISSN 0167-8140, E-ISSN 1879-0887, Vol. 117, no 1, p. 99-105Article in journal (Refereed) Published
Abstract [en]

Background and purpose: This report contains the mature five-year data from the Swedish ARTSCAN trial including information on the influence of p16 positivity (p16+) for oropharyngeal cancers. Material and methods: Patients with previously untreated squamous cell carcinoma without distant metastases of the oral cavity, oropharynx, larynx (except T1-2, NO glottic cancers) and hypopharynx were included. Patients were randomised between accelerated fractionation (AF) (1.1 Gy + 2 Gy per day, 5 days/week for 4.5 weeks, total dose 68 Gy) and conventional fractionation (CF) (2 Gy per day, 5 days/week for 7 weeks, total dose 68 Gy). Human papillomavirus (HPV)-associated p16-expression was assessed retrospectively in tumour tissues from patients with oropharyngeal carcinoma. Results: There was no significant difference in loco-regional control (LRC) between AF and CF (log-rank test p = 0.75). LRC at 5 years was 65.5% for AF and 64.9% for CF. Overall survival (OS) was similar in both arms (p = 0.99). The estimated cancer specific survival (CSS) at 5 years was 62.2% (AF) and 63.3% (CF) (p = 0.99). 206 specimens were analysed for p16 with 153 specimens (74%) identified as p16+. P16 status did not discriminate for response to AF vs. CF with regard to LRC, OS or CSS. Patients with p16+ tumours had a statistically significant better overall prognosis compared with p16 tumours. Conclusion: This update confirms the results of the 2-year report. We failed to identify a positive effect resulting from AF with regards to LRC, OS and CSS. The addition of information on the HPV-associated p16 overexpression did not explain this lack of effect.

Keywords
Radiotherapy, Accelerated fractionation, HPV, p16, HNSCC
National Category
Cancer and Oncology Radiology, Nuclear Medicine and Medical Imaging
Identifiers
urn:nbn:se:umu:diva-112280 (URN)10.1016/j.radonc.2015.09.024 (DOI)000364247700016 ()26427805 (PubMedID)2-s2.0-84945546848 (Scopus ID)
Available from: 2015-12-07 Created: 2015-12-04 Last updated: 2023-03-24Bibliographically approved
2. Weight and body mass index in relation to irradiated volume and to overall survival in patients with oropharyngeal cancer: a retrospective cohort study
Open this publication in new window or tab >>Weight and body mass index in relation to irradiated volume and to overall survival in patients with oropharyngeal cancer: a retrospective cohort study
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2014 (English)In: Radiation Oncology, ISSN 1748-717X, E-ISSN 1748-717X, Vol. 9, p. 160-Article in journal (Refereed) Published
Abstract [en]

Background: Weight loss is a common problem in patients with Squamous Cell Carcinoma of the Head and Neck (SCCHN) treated with radiotherapy (RT). The aims of the present study were to determine if treated volume (TV), as a measure of the radiation dose burden, can predict weight loss in patients with oropharyngeal cancer and to analyze weight loss and body mass index (BMI) in the same patient group in relation to 5-year overall survival. Methods: The ARTSCAN trial is a prospective, randomized, multicenter trial in patients with SCCHN. Nutritional data from the ARTSCAN trial were analyzed retrospectively using univariate and multivariate statistical methods based on information on percentage weight loss from the start of RT up to five months after the termination of RT (study cohort 1, n = 232) and information on patients' BMI at the start of RT (study cohort 2, n = 203). TV was defined as the volume of the patient receiving at least 95% of the prescribed dose. TV64.6 (Gy) encompasses macroscopic tumor and TV43.7 (Gy) elective lymph nodes of the neck. Results: TV64.6 Gy and TV43.7 Gy were both significantly correlated with higher weight loss up to five months after the termination of RT in study cohort 1 (p < 0.001 for both). BMI at the start of RT was shown to be a prognostic factor for 5-year overall survival in study cohort 2 but weight loss was not. The hazard ratios and 95% confidence intervals were 3.78 (1.46-9.75) and 2.57 (1.43-4.62) in patients with underweight and normal weight, respectively. Conclusions: TV can predict weight loss during RT in patients with oropharyngeal cancer regardless of clinical stage. A high BMI (>25 kg/m(2)) at the start of RT is positively associated with survival in patients with oropharyngeal cancer.

National Category
Cancer and Oncology Otorhinolaryngology
Research subject
Oto-Rhino-Laryngology
Identifiers
urn:nbn:se:umu:diva-82489 (URN)10.1186/1748-717X-9-160 (DOI)000339593400001 ()2-s2.0-84904517569 (Scopus ID)
Available from: 2013-11-04 Created: 2013-11-04 Last updated: 2023-03-23Bibliographically approved
3. Regional recurrence of oropharyngeal cancer after definitive radiotherapy: a case control study
Open this publication in new window or tab >>Regional recurrence of oropharyngeal cancer after definitive radiotherapy: a case control study
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2015 (English)In: Radiation Oncology, ISSN 1748-717X, E-ISSN 1748-717X, Vol. 10, article id 117Article in journal (Refereed) Published
Abstract [en]

Background: Elective treatment of lymph nodes in oropharyngeal cancer (OPC) has impact on both regional recurrences (RR) and risk of late side effects. This study was performed to quantify the dose-dependent impact on RR and overall survival (OS) in a prospectively collected cohort of OPC from the ARTSCAN study with emphasis on elective treatment. Methods: ARTSCAN is a previously published prospective, randomized, multicentre study of altered radiotherapy (RT) fractionation in head and neck cancer. In ARTSCAN the elective treatment volume for node positive OPC varied significantly between centres due to local treatment principles. All patients with OPC in complete response after primary treatment were eligible for the present case-control study. Cases were patients with RR during five years follow-up. Patients with no recurrence were eligible as controls. Four controls per case were matched according to T-and N-stage. Mean (D-mean) and median (D-50%) dose for the lymph node level (LNL) of RR in the cases and the corresponding LNL in the controls were analysed with conditional logistic regression. OS was estimated with the Kaplan-Meier method and evaluated by multivariate Cox regression analysis. Results: There was a dose-dependent risk reduction for D-50% in the interval that represented elective treatment (40-50 Gy) (OR = 0.18, p < 0.05) and a trend in the same dose interval for D-mean (OR = 0.19, p = 0.07). OS rates at five years were 0.39 (0.24-0.65) for cases and 0.70 (0.62-0.81) for controls (p < 0.001). The Kaplan-Meier and the Cox regression analysis for cases categorised by delivered dose showed an inverse relationship between dose and survival. The cases with RR in a LNL outside planning target volume (PTV) (D-mean < 40 Gy) had an OS rate comparable to that of all patients, and those with RR in a LNL in PTVelective (D-mean 40-60 Gy) or PTVtumour (D-mean > 60 Gy) did significantly worse (p < 0.05). The same inverse relationship was also shown for a small subset of patient with known HPV-status, defined by over expression of p16 (p < 0.05). Conclusions: There was a significant risk reduction for RR of elective treatment. However the OS for patients with RR outside target volumes was not affected, with similar results for patients with HPV-positive OPC. This could be an argument for a prospective randomized study on limited elective target volumes in OPC.

National Category
Cancer and Oncology
Identifiers
urn:nbn:se:umu:diva-106606 (URN)10.1186/s13014-015-0422-8 (DOI)000357448100001 ()26014350 (PubMedID)2-s2.0-84934761690 (Scopus ID)
Available from: 2015-07-28 Created: 2015-07-24 Last updated: 2023-03-24Bibliographically approved
4. Dysphagia - Results from multivariable predictive modelling on aspiration from a subset of the ARTSCAN trial
Open this publication in new window or tab >>Dysphagia - Results from multivariable predictive modelling on aspiration from a subset of the ARTSCAN trial
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2017 (English)In: Radiotherapy and Oncology, ISSN 0167-8140, E-ISSN 1879-0887, Vol. 122, no 2, p. 192-199Article in journal (Refereed) Published
Abstract [en]

PURPOSE: To establish predictive models for late objective aspiration and late patient-reported choking based on dose-volume parameters and baseline patient and treatment characteristics, for patients with head and neck cancer undergoing definitive radiotherapy (RT). The impact of electively treated volume on late aspiration was also investigated.

METHODS AND MATERIAL: This prospective cohort is a subsample of 124 survivors from the ARTSCAN study. Late aspiration was identified with videofluoroscopy, at a minimum of 25months after the start of RT. Patient-reported choking was analysed at 12 and 60months post RT using the EORTC Quality of Life Module for Head and Neck Cancer 35. Univariable and multivariable analyses were performed to describe the association between clinical factors and dose-volume descriptors for organs at risk (OARs) and late dysphagia.

RESULTS: Aspiration was found in 47% of the eligible patients. Mean dose to the middle pharyngeal constrictor (MPC), neck dissection post RT and age at randomisation in ARTSCAN were associated to late aspiration. Mean dose to the superior pharyngeal constrictor (SPC) and swallowing complaints at baseline were associated to patient reported choking at both time-points.

CONCLUSIONS: Three separate risk groups for late aspiration, and two risk groups for late patient-reported choking were identified based on number of risk factors. The size of the electively treated volume could be used as a surrogate for individual OARs predicting late aspiration.

National Category
Cancer and Oncology
Identifiers
urn:nbn:se:umu:diva-126877 (URN)10.1016/j.radonc.2016.09.001 (DOI)000395607300004 ()27687824 (PubMedID)2-s2.0-84995615075 (Scopus ID)
Available from: 2016-10-18 Created: 2016-10-18 Last updated: 2023-03-24Bibliographically approved

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