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To evaluate the efficacy and safety of reducing target volume in definitive radiotherapy for HPV-associated tonsil cancer.A single-institution cohort of 90 patients with human papillomavirus (HPV)-associated tonsil cancer who received definitive radiotherapy with a 5-mm expansion from the gross tumor volume to clinical target volume between 2008 and 2019 were included. The overlapping volume of initial planning target volume and the recurrent tumor was calculated and categorized as one of three failure types: in-field: ≥95%; marginal-field: 50%-94%; and out-field:50%.With a median follow-up of 59.4 months, the 3-year and 5-year local control rates were 94.4% and 92.8%, respectively. A total of seven local failures were identified, of which 4 (4.4%) were in-field, 2 (2.2%) were marginal-field, and 1 (1.1%) was out-field. Grade 3 acute and late toxicities developed in 30 (33.3%) and 5 (5.6%) patients, respectively.Reducing target volume could be an alternative option for selected patients with HPV-associated tonsil cancer.

Background The purpose of this study was to prospectively evaluate the scintigraphic results on patients who undergo intensity-modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) to investigate the tolerance doses for the salivary glands. Methods Salivary scintigraphy was performed on 35 patients with head and neck cancer before the beginning of radiotherapy (RT), and then at 6 weeks and again at 3 months after the completion of RT. Xerostomia was recorded according to the Radiation Therapy and Oncology Group (RTOG) grade. Salivary function was evaluated by calculating the excretion rate changes (ΔF) for each salivary gland before and after RT. Results The parotid mean dose was significantly related to parotid ΔF and the submandibular gland mean dose to the submandibular gland ΔF. The parotid mean dose of 23 Gy was best correlated with the RTOG grades. The submandibular gland mean dose significantly related to ΔF ≤–50% and ≤–75% was 42 Gy. Conclusion The parotid mean dose of 23 Gy and the submandibular gland mean dose of 42 Gy is feasible for salivary function preservation in the IMRT era. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Head Neck, 2016

Background Although induction chemotherapy can reduce distant metastases in locally advanced head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC), overall survival (OS) improvement because of induction chemotherapy has not been confirmed. Methods We reviewed medical records of 224 patients diagnosed with locally advanced HNSCC who were treated with induction chemotherapy followed by concurrent chemoradiotherapy (CRT; induction chemotherapy/CRT; N = 144) and CRT alone (N = 80) from 2005 to 2013. We analyzed OS and progression-free survival (PFS). Results The 3-year OS rate was significantly higher in the induction chemotherapy/CRT group compared to the CRT group (74.0% vs 62.7%; p = .045). The 3-year PFS rate was 64.6% in the induction chemotherapy/CRT group and 54.1% in the CRT group (p = .060). Subgroup analysis showed patients with high N classification (N2 or N3) oropharyngeal cancer had greater benefits when treated with induction chemotherapy/CRT. Conclusion Induction chemotherapy plus CRT improved OS, compared to CRT alone in locally advanced HNSCC, especially with high N classification. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Head Neck 38: 277–284, 2016

Our aim was to evaluate the feasibility and efficacy of intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) with simultaneous integrated boost (SIB) technique following neoadjuvant chemotherapy for locoregionally advanced nasopharyngeal cancer (NPC).Between April 2004 and December 2006, 25 patients with stage IIB to IVB NPC underwent 3 cycles of neoadjuvant chemotherapy followed by IMRT using SIB technique. Neoadjuvant chemotherapeutic regimens were 5-fluorouracil and cisplatin in 11 patients; docetaxel, 5-fluorouracil, and cisplatin in 8; and paclitaxel and cisplatin in 6. Dose prescription of IMRT was as follows: 67.5 Gy at 2.25 Gy/fraction to postchemotherapy gross tumor, 54 to 60 Gy at 1.8 to 2 Gy/fraction to subclinical disease, and 48 Gy at 1.6 Gy/fraction to elective neck. Seventeen patients received weekly cisplatin during the course of radiation therapy as well.With a median follow-up of 29 months for survivors (range, 14-39), the 3-year local progression-free, regional progression-free, and distant metastasis-free survival rates were 89.6%, 87.2%, and 80.4%, respectively. Treatment was well tolerated despite the grade 3 mucositis (16%) and/or pharyngitis (16%). With follow-up, the frequency of xerostomia decreased. At 3 months after IMRT, the proportions of Radiation Therapy Oncology Group grades 0, 1, and 2 xerostomia were 13%, 38%, and 50%, respectively. At 24 months, the corresponding figures were 36%, 46%, and 18%, respectively.IMRT with SIB technique for locoregionally advanced NPC was feasible and effective regarding locoregional control and development of xerostomia, even after neoadjuvant chemotherapy. Definition of gross tumor volume by postchemotherapy extent of disease was also feasible.

Background. Although meta-analysis showed that survival improved with concurrent chemoradiation in locally advanced head and neck cancer, neoadjuvant chemotherapy is still unique, because it renders curative surgery feasible for marginally resectable head and neck cancer patients. Methods. We reviewed patients with locally advanced head and neck cancer, who had been treated with neoadjuvant chemotherapy between June 1984 and February 2001 at the Seoul National University Hospital. Results. A total of 167 patients were included. After 2 to 3 chemotherapy cycles, either surgery (38 patients) or radiation (104 patients) was conducted. Those who received surgery exhibited better survival than those who received radiation [median survival: not reached vs 33.6 months (95% CI: 22.6–44.7), p = .006]. The 5-year and 10-year survival rates of surgery group were 63.2% and 59.8%. Conclusion. The potential benefit of neoadjuvant chemotherapy with surgery in patients with locally advanced head and neck cancers merits further evaluation in future clinical trials. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Head Neck, 2008