Quad Shot-A Tertiary Hospital Experience With a Palliative Radiotherapy Regimen for Head and Neck Cancer

Area of Science:

• Oncology
• Palliative Care
• Cancer Treatment

Background:

• Head and neck cancers frequently present as locally advanced disease.
• Palliative treatment is often preferred for symptom control in these patients.
• The Quad Shot (QS) regimen is a common palliative approach.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the response, survival, and toxicity of the Quad Shot (QS) regimen.
• To analyze real-world data from a palliative head and neck cancer patient cohort.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective evaluation of 51 patients with head and neck squamous cell carcinomas treated with QS.
• Data collected between 2017 and 2024 at University Medical Centre Mainz.
• Assessment of treatment response, overall survival, and toxicity.

Main Results:

• Median overall survival was 5.9 months.
• Objective response or stable disease was observed in 37 out of 39 evaluable patients (94.9%).
• Low toxicity was noted, with only two cases of Grade 3 or higher toxicity, likely unrelated to QS.

Conclusions:

• The Quad Shot (QS) regimen is well-tolerated and demonstrates significant efficacy in a palliative head and neck cancer population.
• Real-world data supports the use of QS for symptom control and response.
• Considerations for QS prescription in palliative care are discussed.