Efficacy and safety of transarterial chemoperfusion for head and neck malignancies

To evaluate tumor response and overall survival (OS) of patients with head and neck malignancies treated by transarterial chemoperfusion (TACP).

This monocentric retrospective study included a total of 77 patients with head and neck malignancies, who were at least treated by one session of TACP in palliative-intent between 2002 and 2021. Tumor response to therapy was assessed using the Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors (RECIST). Local control was defined as achieving either partial response (PR) or stable disease (SD).

All 77 enrolled patients (mean age: 59 ± 12 years; 52 males) were analyzed according to OS. RECIST was performed in 70 out of 77 patients since follow-up imaging was not available in 7 patients. No major complications were observed. Considering RECIST, PR was achieved in 48.57% and SD in 44.29% of the patients, resulting in a local control rate of 92.86%. A total of 5 patients showed progressive diseases at a rate of 7.14%. The median OS was 12.6 ± 1.5 months. Patients with T1-T3 tumors had significantly longer OS compared to patients with T4.

Palliative TACP has the potential to improve local tumor control and achieve remarkable survival outcomes for patients with head and neck area malignancies.