| The Preliminary Results of Intensity-Modulated Radiotherapy for Tonsillar Cancer |
| Geumju Park, Sang Wook Lee, Eun Kyung Choi, Jong Hoon Kim, Si Yeol Song, Sang Min Youn, Sung Ho Park, Dong Wook Park, Seung Do Ahn |
| Department of Radiation Oncology, Asan Medical Center, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea. lsw@amc.seoul.kr |
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| ABSTRACT |
PURPOSE:
We wanted to present the preliminary results of intensity-modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) for the treatment of tonsillar cancer.
MATERIALS AND METHODS:
We retrospectively analyzed 12 patients who underwent IMRT for tonsillar cancer at Asan Medical Center between November 2002 and February 2007.
Seven patients (58%) received definitive treatment, and five (42%) were treated in the postoperative setting. Among the definitively treated patients, 6 patients received cisplatin-based chemotherapy regimens. Simultaneous modulated accelerated radiation therapy (SMART) was used in nine patients. The prescribed dose was 72 Gy at 2.4 Gy/fraction for the definitively treated cases and 61.6 Gy at 2.2 Gy/fraction for the postoperative cases. The median follow-up period was 34 months.
RESULTS:
All twelve patients completed treatment without interruption, and eleven showed a complete response. One patient had persistent loco-regional disease after treatment. The three-year estimates of loco-regional control, disease-free survival and overall survival were 91.7%, 91.7%, and 100%. The worst acute mucositis was Grade 1 in four patients, Grade 2 in five patients, Grade 3 in two patients and Grade 4 in one patient. Grade 3 xerostomia was observed in six patients.
CONCLUSION:
Intensity-modulated radiotherapy was shown to be a safe and effective treatment modality for tonsillar cancer. Further studies with a larger number of patients and a longer follow-up period are needed to evaluate the ultimate tumor control and late toxicity of IMRT for treating tonsillar cancer. |
| Key Words:
Tonsillar cancer, Intensity-modulated radiotherapy, Radiotherapy |
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