Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 5, 2026
Intramucosal Inoculation of Squamous Cell Carcinoma Cells in Mice for Tumor Immune Profiling and Treatment Response Assessment
Published on: April 22, 2019
Outcome after re-irradiation of head and neck cancer patients
Nele Platteaux1, Piet Dirix, Bianca Vanstraelen
1Department of Radiation Oncology, Leuvens Kankerinstituut, University Hospitals Leuven, Campus Gasthuisberg, Leuven, Belgium. neleplatteaux@yahoo.com
Purpose:
To retrospectively report the outcome of head and neck cancer patients following re-irradiation.
Patients And Methods:
A total of 51 patients with recurrent or second primary head and neck cancer received re-irradiation at Leuven University Hospital. Survival and locoregional control were calculated. Doses to organs at risk were retrieved from dose-volume histograms. Radiation-related toxicities were reported.
Results:
The 2-year actuarial overall survival rate was 30%. On univariate analysis, surgery before re-irradiation and high radiation dose were associated with superior survival. Grade 3 acute and grade 3 or more late toxicity occurred in respectively 29.4% and 35.3% of the patients.
Conclusion:
Re-irradiation in head and neck cancer patients is feasible with acceptable late toxicity, although the survival remains poor.
