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Updated: May 10, 2026
Therapy Testing in a Spheroid-based 3D Cell Culture Model for Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma
Published on: April 20, 2018
Increased local failure risk with prolonged radiation treatment time in head and neck cancer treated with concurrent
Donald M Cannon1, Heather M Geye, Gregory K Hartig
1Department of Human Oncology, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, Wisconsin.
Background:
Prolonged radiation treatment time (RTT) in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) is associated with inferior tumor control in patients treated with radiation therapy (RT) alone. However, the significance of prolonged RTT with concurrent chemotherapy is less clear.
Methods:
We reviewed outcomes for 171 patients with primary HNSCC treated with curative intent RT and concurrent drug therapy from 2001 to 2009. The effects of RTT and other variables on local control and survival were analyzed.
Results:
Patients with RTT >7 weeks had a significantly increased risk of local failure (hazard ratio [HR], 2.6; p = .018) and death (HR, 1.9 p = .035). These results retained significance even after adjustment for tumor stage (age was not significant).
Conclusion:
For patients treated with concurrent chemoradiotherapy (chemoRT), prolonged RTT may compromise tumor control as has been established in the setting of RT alone. Symptoms of patients with HNSCC undergoing definitive chemoRT should be managed aggressively to limit treatment interruptions.
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