Palliative Hypo-fractionated Radiotherapy in Locally Advanced Head and Neck Cancer with Fixed Neck Nodes

Rajan Paliwal; Arvind  Kumar Patidar; Rahul Walke; Pushpendra Hirapara; Sandeep Jain; Megh Raj-Bardia

International Journal of Cancer Management

The Official Journal of Cancer Research Center (CRC), Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences

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Palliative Hypo-fractionated Radiotherapy in Locally Advanced Head and Neck Cancer with Fixed Neck Nodes

Author(s):

Rajan Paliwal¹,

Arvind Kumar Patidar^1,*,

Rahul Walke¹,

Pushpendra Hirapara¹,

Sandeep Jain¹,

Megh Raj-Bardia¹

1Dept. of Radiatiation Oncology, Acharya tulsi Regional Cancer Treatment and Research Institute, Bikaner, Rajasthan University of Health Sciences, Jaipur, Rajasthan, India

International Journal of Cancer Management:Vol. 5, issue 4; e80828

Published online:Dec 31, 2012

Article type:Research Article

Received:Apr 21, 2012

Accepted:Sep 03, 2012

How to Cite:Rajan PaliwalArvind Kumar PatidarRahul WalkePushpendra HiraparaSandeep JainMegh Raj-Bardiaet al.Palliative Hypo-fractionated Radiotherapy in Locally Advanced Head and Neck Cancer with Fixed Neck Nodes.Int J Cancer Manag.5(4):e80828.

Abstract

Background: The locally advanced head and neck cancer with fixed nodes are incurable and has a short survival. This study aims to evaluate the symptom relief, disease response and acute toxicity after palliative hypo-fractionated radiotherapy.

Methods: Between December 2010 to June 2011, previously untreated 50 patients who had histopathologically proved of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma with fixed node of stage IV, Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) performance status 2-3 were offered palliative radiotherapy (20 Gy/5Fr/5 Days). Patients were evaluated at 15th and 30th day after completion of treatment for disease response (WHO), palliation of symptoms using symptomatic response grading and acute toxicities (Radiation Therapy Oncology Group, RTOG).

Results: The most common presenting complaint was pain followed by dysphagia. Majority of patients (60-70%) had appreciable relief in their presenting symptom. In our study, we observed Partial Response (PR) in majority of patients (92 %); no patient had progressive or stable disease. None of the patients experienced radiation toxicities that required hospital admission. Almost all patients showed grade one and two acute skin and mucosal toxicities one month after completion of treatment.

Conclusion: Advanced head and neck cancer with fixed neck node should be identified for suitable palliative hypo-fractionated radiotherapy to achieve acceptable symptom relief in great proportion of patients.

Keywords

Cancer of head and neck

Lymph nodes

Palliative therapy

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