Related Experiment Videos
Definitive radiotherapy for tonsillar squamous cell carcinoma.
William M Mendenhall1, Christopher G Morris, Robert J Amdur
1Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Florida College of Medicine, Gainesville, FL, USA. mendewil@shands.ufl.edu
American Journal of Clinical Oncology
|June 7, 2006
Summary
Definitive radiotherapy (RT) offers comparable cure rates to surgery for tonsillar cancer, with fewer severe complications. This treatment is effective for various tumor stages and locations, including lateralized tumors.
Area of Science:
- Radiation Oncology
- Head and Neck Cancer
- Tonsillar Carcinoma
Background:
- Tonsillar area carcinoma is a significant oncologic diagnosis.
- Definitive radiotherapy (RT) is a primary treatment modality.
- Surgical options and their associated morbidities are also considered.
Purpose of the Study:
- To update the experience with definitive radiotherapy (RT) for tonsillar area carcinoma.
- To evaluate the efficacy and safety of RT in a large patient cohort.
- To analyze factors influencing local control and survival.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective analysis of 503 patients treated with definitive RT between 1964 and 2003.
- Evaluation of planned neck dissection and chemotherapy (induction/concomitant) in subsets of patients.
- Multivariate analysis to identify prognostic factors for local control and survival.
Main Results:
- Five-year local control rates ranged from 61% (T4) to 88% (T1).
- Five-year cause-specific survival rates varied from 46% (Stage IVB) to 100% (Stage I).
- Severe late complications occurred in 9% of patients; local control was influenced by T stage, primary site, and fractionation.
Conclusions:
- Definitive RT achieves cure rates comparable to surgery with a lower complication rate.
- Ipsilateral field arrangements are safe for lateralized tumors.
- Intensity-modulated radiotherapy shows comparable efficacy to conventional RT.