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Published on: July 5, 2021
Long-term outcomes of skull base chordoma treated with high-dose carbon-ion radiotherapy
Masashi Koto1, Hiroaki Ikawa1, Takashi Kaneko1
1National Institute of Radiological Sciences, National Institutes for Quantum and Radiological Sciences and Technology, Chiba, Japan.
Background:
We evaluated the long-term efficacy and safety of carbon-ion radiotherapy (C-ion RT) for skull base chordoma, a rare neoplasm.
Methods:
Thirty-four patients with skull base chordoma who were treated with C-ion RT were prospectively enrolled and analyzed retrospectively. C-ion RT was delivered with 60.8 Gy (relative biological effectiveness [RBE]) in 16 fractions at four fractions per week.
Results:
The median follow-up period was 108 months. The 5- and 9-year local control rates were 76.9% and 69.2%, respectively. The 5- and 9-year overall survival rates were 93.5% and 77.4%, respectively. Regarding grade 3 or more severe late reactions, one patient developed a grade 3 mucosal ulcer, two developed grade 4 ipsilateral optic nerve injuries, and one developed a grade 5 mucosal ulcer at 9 years and 3 months after C-ion RT.
Conclusion:
C-ion RT with 60.8 Gy (RBE)/16 fractions is a promising treatment option for inoperable skull base chordoma.
