Late toxicities in locally advanced head and neck squamous cell carcinoma treated with intensity modulated radiation therapy

Article information

Radiat Oncol J. 2021;39(3):184-192
Publication date (electronic) : 2021 September 13
doi : https://doi.org/10.3857/roj.2020.00913
1Department of Radiation Oncology, St. John’s Medical College and Hospital, Bengaluru, Karnataka, India
2Department of Biostatistics, St John’s Medical College, Bengaluru, Karnataka, India
Correspondence: Sandeep Muzumder Department of Radiation Oncology, St. John’s Medical College and Hospital, Bengaluru, Karnataka, India Tel: +919742157090 E-mail: sandeepmuzumder@gmail.com
Received 2020 October 24; Revised 2021 April 26; Accepted 2021 May 3.

Abstract

Purpose

The study aims to report late toxicities in locally advanced head-and-neck squamous cell carcinoma (LAHNSCC) treated with intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT).

Materials and Methods

A retrospective study was conducted on 103 patients of LAHNSCC treated with IMRT. We analyzed the cumulative incidence of late xerostomia, dysphagia, and aspiration at an interval of 6-month, 1-year, 2-year, and 3-year from the start of IMRT.

Results

At a median follow up of 4.2 years (interquartile range, 3.5 to 6 years), the cumulative incidence of grade ≥2 late xerostomia was 5.5%, dysphagia was 6.9%, and aspiration was 11.1%. Logistic regression showed that Dmean of ≥26 Gy to parotids had higher risk of xerostomia (hazard ratio [HR] = 5.19; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.90–14.22; p = 0.001). Late dysphagia was associated with Dmean of ≥45 Gy to pharyngeal constrictors (PC) (HR = 7; 95% CI, 1.84–26.61; p =0.004), ≥55 Gy to larynx (HR = 3.25; 95% CI, 1.15–9.11; p = 0.025), and adjuvant RT (HR = 5.26; 95% CI, 1.85–14.87; p = 0.002). Aspiration was associated with Dmean of ≥45 Gy to larynx (HR = 6.5; 95% CI, 1.93–21.88; p = 0.003), Dmean of ≥55 Gy to PC (HR = 3.54; 95% CI, 1.25–9.98; p = 0.017), and patients having late dysphagia (HR = 4.37; 95% CI, 1.55–12.31; p = 0.005).

conclusions

IMRT is a feasible radiation delivery technique in LAHNSCC with a decreased late toxicity profile.

Introduction

Surgery and radiation therapy (RT), along with chemotherapy, is the current standard of care in locally advanced head-and-neck squamous cell carcinoma (LAHNSCC) [1,2]. The delivery of RT in head-and-neck cancer (HNC) has always been a challenge due to the proximity of critical organs and target volumes, resulting in intractable treatment-related toxicities. The RT technique has changed over time from two-dimensional RT to more conformal techniques. Intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) has gained popularity in contemporary clinical practice due to superior dose conformity [3]. IMRT is associated with decreased incidence and severity of xerostomia compared to three-dimensional conformal radiation therapy (3DCRT) [4-6]. Also, patients receiving definitive IMRT have a significantly lesser duration of dysphagia and feeding tube placement than 3DCRT [7]. The quality of life improved with IMRT compared to 3DCRT [8]. The randomized controlled trials (RCTs) suggest IMRT has similar locoregional control (LRC) and overall survival (OS) compared with 3DCRT [4-6]. A Surveillance, Epidemiology and End Results (SEER)-Medicare analysis showed that IMRT is associated with improved cause-specific survival (CSS) compared to non-IMRT in HNC [9]. The patterns of care study suggest IMRT use in HNC to be safe in community practice [10].

Despite all the advantages, the practice of IMRT is disputable. A learning curve exists for IMRT practice in HNC, and the experience of treating oncologists is related to cancer outcomes. The RTOG-0022 study reports a higher failure in oropharyngeal cancer patients with major IMRT protocol violations [11]. A high-volume provider has decreased all-cause mortality, aspiration pneumonia, and better OS than low-volume providers of IMRT in HNC. The key finding of this population-based study is the impact of the experience of IMRT providers. The mortality risk decreased by 21% for additional five patients per year [12]. The non-availability of IMRT facilities, increased travel time for RT, and poor referral patterns may hinder patients from taking treatment at a high-volume regional center. Hence, the current focus is training in contouring and strict adherence to implementing IMRT in HNC. The various cooperative group has published guidelines and atlas for better delineation of target and organ-at-risk (OAR) [13,14]. Xerostomia, dysphagia, and aspiration being the most troublesome side effects, it’s imperative to restrict doses to salivary glands and dysphagia aspiration-related structure (DARS), whenever feasible [15,16]. Most literature on dose constraint is based on retrospective series and expert opinion [17].

The RCTs primarily report xerostomia, local control, and overall survival [4-6]. The other late toxicities such as dysphagia and aspiration are reported from single institute series and are limited by a small sample size [18-27]. We conducted an audit to review our experience given limited data availability on late toxicities except for xerostomia and the intricacies associated with IMRT. We have previously published our experience in acute toxicities, mucositis pain, acute mortality, and concurrent chemoradiation (CRT) in patients with HNC [28-31]. The present study aims to report the late toxicities in LAHNSCC treated with IMRT.

Materials and Methods

1. Study design and setting

After institute ethical clearance, all HNC patients treated in the Department of Radiation Oncology at St. John's Medical College and Hospital (No. 230/2017) between January 2013 to June 2017 were retrospectively analyzed. The disease had to be squamous cell carcinoma (SCC), treated curatively with IMRT technique (radical or adjuvant), and locally advanced (stage group III, IVA, and IVB). According to the American Joint Committee on Cancer (AJCC) 8th edition, the cancer staging was reconstructed [32]. The exclusion criterion includes patients receiving palliative RT, 3DCRT technique, early-stage HNC (stage I and II), and non-squamous cell histology, including nasopharyngeal carcinoma. All patients were evaluated in a multidisciplinary tumor board. A thorough clinical and endoscopic evaluation was done for all patients. A baseline imaging was done with either computed tomography (CT), positron emission tomography (PET), or magnetic resonance imaging. A biopsy or fine-needle aspiration cytology was performed before starting treatment. A pre-treatment baseline complete blood count, renal function test, liver function test, and creatinine clearance were done.

2. Intensity-modulated radiation therapy

A custom-made thermoplastic four-clamp mask with an appropriate headrest was used for immobilization. All patients underwent a contrast-enhanced CT simulation with 2.5 mm slice thickness from vertex to the carina. The segmentation was done on the MONACO workstation. In the definite setting, gross tumor volume (GTV), high-risk clinical target volume (CTV1), intermediate-risk CTV (CTV2), and low-risk CTV (CTV3) were defined [33]. High-risk planning target volume (PTV1), intermediate-risk PTV (PTV2), and low-risk PTV (PTV3) were generated with an isotropic expansion of 3–5 mm from CTV1, CTV2, and CTV3, respectively. CTV2 was omitted as per treating radiation oncologist’s discretion. The target volumes, i.e., PTV1, PTV2, and PTV3, were irradiated to a total dose of 66–70 Gy, 60–63 Gy, and 54–56 Gy in conventional fractionation, respectively. In the adjuvant setting, only two volumes were defined: CTV1 included tumor bed and CTV2 elective nodal areas. An isotropic expansion of 3–5 mm from CTV is given to generate respective PTV. PTV1 and PTV2 received a dose of 60–66 Gy and 50–54 Gy, respectively. All OAR structures were contoured, such as parotids, submandibular glands (SMGs), pharyngeal constrictors (PC), larynx, and cervical esophagus (CE). The PC was contoured from the pterygoid plates to the inferior border of the cricoid cartilage. The CE was contoured from the lower end of the PC to the lower edge of the C7 vertebral body. The dose constraints used were: spinal cord Dmax <44 Gy; brainstem Dmax <54 Gy; parotid Dmean <26 Gy; SMG Dmean <35 Gy; PC Dmean <45 Gy; larynx Dmean <45 Gy; and CE Dmean <45 Gy. A seven-field IMRT plan with 6 MV photons was generated using the MONACO treatment planning system (Elekta Instrument, Stockholm, Sweden). The typical fields placed were 0°, 45°, 105°, 155°, 205°, 255°, and 315°. The best plan was generated by inverse planning and progressive iterative optimization to ensure optimum coverage of the PTV with an acceptable dose to OARs. Dynamic IMRT was delivered on an Elekta Synergy linear accelerator. Pre-treatment verification was performed by measuring dose maps using the iMatrix. The measured dose distribution data was compared with TPS calculated data by evaluating the gamma index criterion of 3% and 3 mm, i.e., dose difference of <3% and distance to agreement of <3 mm.

3. Chemotherapy

In a radical setting, all patients deemed fit received CRT. Only patients with an extra-capsular extension or a positive margin received CRT in the adjuvant setting [1,2]. The CRT schedule was either weekly or 3-weekly Cisplatin, as decided by the treating medical oncologist. Cisplatin was given at a dose of 40 mg/m2 in a weekly schedule and 100 mg/m2 in a 3-weekly schedule. The maximum numbers of chemotherapy cycles were 7 and 3 in the weekly and 3-weekly schedule, respectively. The number of chemotherapy cycles was titrated based on patient tolerance. Hydration, anti-emetics, and dose modifications were done according to department protocol. Chemotherapy was not given after the completion of RT.

4. Follow-up

All patients were reviewed at least twice a week during therapy for treatment-related toxicities. Patients were admitted for supportive care when indicated. After completion of scheduled treatment, patients were followed up weekly till acute reactions subsided, then monthly till 3 months, every 3 months till 2 years, and yearly after that. A repeat imaging, either CT or PET/CT scan, was performed after 8–12 weeks of RT completion for response assessment. Salvage surgery and/or re-irradiation were planned when feasible. The data collection was done by reviewing radiotherapy charts and outpatient department records.

5. Study outcome

The primary objective of the study was to report the late toxicities like xerostomia, dysphagia, and aspiration at 6 months, 1 year, 2 years, and 3 years of starting RT. Toxicity scoring was done with Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events version 4.03 (CTCAE 4.03) [34]. The late toxicities were not recorded when a patient had a locoregional disease. The mean dose (Dmean) to salivary glands (parotids and SMGs) and DARS (PC, larynx, CE) were recorded.

The secondary objectives were to report treatment compliance, response rates, LRC, OS, and predictors for OS. LRC was defined as no progression or recurrence at the local or regional nodal site. Time to locoregional failure (LRF) was calculated from the date of diagnosis to the date of locoregional disease progression or recurrence. The OS is defined from the time of diagnosis to death due to any cause.

6. Statistical analysis

The data were analyzed using SPSS version 24 (IBM, Armonk, NY, USA). All categorical data were summarized using frequency and percentages. All continuous data were described using the median and interquartile range (IQR) or mean and standard deviation based on the distribution. The late toxicities were presented using cumulative incidence. Logistic regression was used to correlate the Dmean of salivary glands and the risk of late xerostomia. The risk of developing late dysphagia was correlated with the dose received by DARS, presence or absence of acute aspiration, and in adjuvant versus radical group, using logistic regression analysis.

Similarly, the risk of developing late aspiration was correlated with the dose received by DARS, adjuvant versus radical RT, and presence or absence of acute aspiration and late dysphagia. The risk is represented with a hazard ratio (HR) with a 95% confidence interval (CI). Kaplan-Meier method was used to plot LRC and OS. The time to local recurrence and overall survival is represented in median months with a 95% CI. The Cox proportional hazard analysis was used to determine predictors of OS. A cut-off p-value of <0.05 was considered statistically significant.

Results

1. Baseline characteristics

A total of 166 HNC patients were treated from January 2013 to June 2017. 103 patients who fit into our inclusion criteria were analyzed (Table 1). The median age and Charlson Comorbidity Scores were 59 years (IQR, 48.5 to 66.5) and 4 (IQR, 3 to 5), respectively. The median weight before starting RT was 59 kg (IQR, 49.5 to 66.5). An advanced tumor (T3 and T4) and a nodal (N2 and N3) stage constituted 71.8% (74/103) and 46.6% (48/103) patients, respectively. The median GTV in the radical group was 58.2 mL (IQR 20.73 to 65.81) as contoured on the RT planning scan. A total of 74.7% of patients (n = 77) were tobacco users, either tobacco chewing or smoking.

Baseline characteristics

At baseline, 14 patients (carcinoma larynx 11 and carcinoma hypopharynx 3) had a tracheostomy tube in situ, and nine patients had clinical features of aspiration. A total of 44 patients had dysphagia, and six patients required a feeding tube (nasogastric tube 5 and feeding jejunostomy 1) before starting RT. None of the patients had xerostomia. Forty-two patients required analgesia (7 required opioids) at baseline. Sixty-eight patients received radical RT, and the rest 35 adjuvant RT. Seventy patients (56 in the radical and 14 in the adjuvant RT group) received CRT. Only cisplatin was used in CRT. A total of 35 and 24 patients received weekly and 3-weekly cisplatin schedules, respectively.

2. Compliance and acute toxicities

The median radiation dose received was 66 Gy (IQR, 60 to 66). The median patient volume receiving 60 Gy was 380.38 mL (IQR, 161.49 to 559.8). The median duration of RT was 6.3 weeks (IQR, 5.6 to 6.7). Twenty-four patients (23.3%) did not receive the planned RT dose (17 due to toxicities, 2 had disease progression during RT, and 5 patients discontinued the treatment). Fifteen patients (14.6%) had a gap in the radiotherapy treatment for ≥2 days. The reasons were acute toxicities in 13 patients and machine breakdown in 2 patients. Overall, 64.3% (45/70) patients received ≥200 mg/m2 of cisplatin.

The grade 3 mucositis, dysphagia, pain, aspiration, and dermatitis occurred in 31.1% (32/103), 51.4% (53/103), 15 (14.6%), 13.6% (14/103), and 3.85% (4/103), respectively. Seven patients developed grade 4 aspirations. The median weight loss was 4 kg (IQR, 1 to 6). Fifty-nine patients (57.3%) required either a nasogastric feeding tube (n = 31) or intravenous hydration at daycare (n = 54). Thirty-two patients (31.1%) required admission for supportive care, with a median duration of 12 days (IQR, 5 to 15). The acute xerostomia was not recorded.

3. Late toxicities and dose to OARs

The late toxicities were evaluated in 72 eligible patients with a minimum follow-up of 6 months. The cumulative incidence of xerostomia, dysphagia, and aspiration at 6 months, 1 year, 2 years, and 3 years after starting treatment are enumerated in Table 2. The Dmean (median and IQR) received by OARs were: parotids 25.62 Gy (IQR, 24.25 to 33.33), SMGs 53.72 Gy (IQR, 29.45 to 59.50), PC 48.56 Gy (IQR, 42.92 to 55.26), CE 42.59 Gy (IQR, 31.68 to 46.74), and larynx 47.77 Gy (IQR, 40.42 to 56).

Late toxicities

Most patients developed xerostomia, but it subsided in more than half of patients by the end of 6 months (Table 2). None of the patients developed grade 3 xerostomia, and the majority had grade 1 toxicity. The grade 2 xerostomia occurred in four patients (5.5%) at 6 months, three patients (5.4%) at 1 year, one patient (2.4%) at 2 years, and none at 3 years. The Dmean of ≥26 Gy to parotids was associated with a significantly higher risk of xerostomia (HR = 5.19; 95% CI, 1.90–14.22; p = 0.001). Similarly, there was an increasing trend of developing xerostomia, when Dmean of SMGs was ≥35 Gy (HR = 2.36; 95% CI, 0.85–6.56; p = 0.099).

More than half of the patients (51.4%) either required tube feeding or intravenous hydration during treatment period. Only three patients had grade 3 dysphagia and were feeding tube dependent at 6 months. Rest 24 patients with dysphagia managed oral intake with dietary modifications. The grade ≥2 dysphagia occurred in five patients (6.9%) at 6 months, three patients (5.4%) at 1 year, two patients (4.7%) at 2 years, and one patient (3%) at 3 years (Table 2). With logistic regression analysis, the risk of late dysphagia had a significant association with Dmean of ≥45 Gy to PC (HR = 7; 95% CI, 1.84–26.61; p =0.004), Dmean of ≥55 Gy to larynx (HR = 3.25; 95% CI, 1.15–9.11; p = 0.025), and patients receiving adjuvant RT (HR = 5.26; 95% CI, 1.85–14.87; p = 0.002). There was a trend of increased risk of dysphagia with Dmean of ≥45 Gy to CE (HR = 2.55; 95% CI, 0.93– 6.96; p = 0.067) and ≥45 Gy to larynx (HR = 2.27; 95% CI, 0.82–6.24; p = 0.112). The severity of acute dysphagia had no correlation in developing late dysphagia (HR = 1.66; 95% CI, 0.63–4.36; p = 0.302) (Supplementary Table S1).

One-thirds of patients had aspiration at end of 6 months, which decreased to half at 1 year (Table 2). The majority (n = 17) had grade 1 aspiration. The grade ≥2 aspiration occurred in eight patients (11.1 %) at 6 months, two patients (3.6%) at 1 year and none at 2 and 3 years. Patients with grade ≥2 aspiration received multiple antibiotic courses or had a hospital admission for a respiratory infection. The late aspiration pneumonia was recorded as cause of death in four patients. The risk of aspiration is associated with Dmean of ≥45 Gy to larynx (HR = 6.5; 95% CI, 1.93–21.88; p = 0.003), ≥55 Gy to PC (HR = 3.54; 95% CI, 1.25–9.98; p = 0.017). Also, the patients with late dysphagia were at higher risk of developing aspiration (HR = 4.37; 95% CI, 1.55–12.31; p = 0.005). Patients receiving adjuvant RT had higher trend of developing late aspiration compared to radical RT (HR = 2.65; 95% CI, 0.97–7.17; p = 0.056). The presence of acute aspiration was not associated with late aspiration (HR = 0.63; 95% CI, 0.23–1.66; p = 0.348) (Supplementary Table S1).

Among other late toxicities, pain, subcutaneous fibrosis, and neck edema were observed in 13 patients (18.1%), 27 patients (37.5%), and 28 patients (38.9%), respectively. The majority were grade 1 toxicities. Only one patient was reported with osteoradionecrosis (ORN). The patient was a case of recurrent carcinoma buccal mucosa, which required surgical release for trismus and debridement for ORN.

4. Disease control and survival

The median follow-up was 4.2 years (IQR, 3.5 to 6) in surviving patients. Response assessment was done after 10–12 weeks of RT completion. In the definite group, 57.3% of patients (39/68) achieved a CR. Salvage surgery was performed for only one patient, and two patients received palliative chemotherapy. In the adjuvant group, all except one patient (34/35) was free of disease. At the time of analysis, 30 patients had recurred. The median time to LRF was 33 months (95% CI, 1–76) (Fig. 1A). The recurrence pattern was local, regional nodal, local with regional nodal, locoregional with distal metastasis, and distal metastasis alone in 14, four, five, three, and four patients, respectively. Most patients had an unresectable disease at recurrence. Only six patients were suitable for salvage surgery. At recurrence, one patient underwent surgery alone, three patients underwent surgery and adjuvant re-irradiation, one patient received re-irradiation with concurrent chemotherapy, five patients received palliative chemotherapy, four patients received alternate therapy, and the majority (n = 14) received best supportive care. Two patients refused salvage surgery.

Fig. 1.

(A) The median time to locoregional failure was 33 months (95% confidence interval [CI], 1–76). (B) The median time to overall survival was 19.26 months (95% CI, 14.7–23.8).

A total of 74 patients had died at the time of analysis. A total of 75.6% of deaths (56/74) occurred in the first 2 years, and most deaths were due to LAHNSCC (n = 38). Acute toxicities and sepsis caused deaths in 12 patients in the first year. Nine deaths were due to intercurrent illness (Supplementary Table S2). Three patients developed second primary (one each of carcinoma buccal mucosa, carcinoma anterior tongue, and carcinoma cervix). Among 29 alive patients at the last visit, 24 patients had more than 4.5 years of follow-up. The median OS was 19.26 months (95% CI, 14.7–23.8) (Fig. 1B). The Cox proportional hazard model analysis showed the OS improved with surgery and adjuvant RT compared with radical RT ± chemotherapy (HR = 1.69; 95% CI, 1.02–2.79; p = 0.040). The OS worsened with stage IVA and IVB compared with stage III (HR = 1.83; 95% CI, 1.11–3.03; p = 0.017) (Supplementary Table S3).

Discussion and Conclusion

The cumulative incidence of grade ≥2 xerostomia, dysphagia, and aspiration at 1 year were 5.4%, 5.4%, and 3.6%, respectively. A Dmean of ≥26 Gy to the parotids was associated with a higher risk of xerostomia. Dysphagia was found to be significantly associated with Dmean of ≥45 Gy to the PC, ≥55 Gy to the larynx, and a patient receiving adjuvant RT. The risk of aspiration is associated with Dmean of ≥45 Gy to larynx and patients having late dysphagia. After a median follow-up of 4.2 years, the median time to LRF and OS was 33 months and 19.26 months, respectively.

The incidence of grade 1, 2, and 3 xerostomia varied from 13.1%–42%, 10%–19.7%, and 0%–1.6%, respectively at 1 year after IMRT [21,23,26,27]. The incidence of xerostomia decreased until 1 year but remained stable 2 years after IMRT [27,35]. The grade ≥1 xerostomia was associated with a mean dose to the contralateral parotid glands ≥26 Gy [23]. The literature recommends restricting the mean dose to 26 Gy for at least one parotid gland and attempts to reduce the doses to contralateral SMG [17]. We report similar incidence and severity of xerostomia and a decreasing trend of xerostomia years after IMRT. The mean dose of <26 Gy to parotid glands was achieved, but a decreasing dose to SMGs was not feasible in our study population.

The reporting of dysphagia is also varied. Grade 3 dysphagia (feeding tube dependent) was reported in 13% of patients at 1 year by Montejo et al. [20]. Mazzola et al. [23] reported grade 2 dysphagia at 6, 12, and 24 months in 26% (n = 9), 23% (n = 8), and 23% (n = 8), respectively. Baudelet et al. [35], reported 60% of patients experienced dysphagia (grade 1–4) at 1 year, and decreasing to 36% at 5 years. The majority were grade 1, and less than 10% were grade 2 or more. We report a lesser incidence of dysphagia, 27.3% and 23.8% at 1 year and 2 years, respectively. In a review by De Felice et al. [36], the late dysphagia was associated with Dmean of >56 Gy to the larynx, >63 Gy to PC, and >48 Gy to CE. In our study, the Dmean received by the larynx, PC, and CE was 47.77 Gy, 48.56 Gy, and 42.59 Gy, respectively. This may explain a lesser incidence of dysphagia in the present study.

The literature on aspiration after IMRT in HNC is sparse. Petras et al. [37], reported 34% of patients (10/29) showed aspiration on videofluorography (VFG) at 1 year after IMRT. A Dmean of 6,500 cGy or higher to the aryepiglottic folds was associated with an increased risk of aspiration at 1 year. The incidence of aspiration in the present study was 14.5% (8/55) at 1 year. We assessed aspiration based on clinical features in the majority of cases, and imaging when available. None of the patients underwent a VGF to diagnose aspiration, explaining a lower incidence of aspiration in our study.

The 3-year OS reported after IMRT in single institute series ranges from 52% to 82% [26,27]. However, the long-term survival remains poor in larger series of locally advanced HNC. The 5-year OS rate was in the range of 20%–43% for oral cancer, 8%–25% for pharyngeal cancers, and 25%–62% for laryngeal cancer with conventional treatment in a high-volume center from India [38]. The EUROCARE-5 population-based study reported 5-year age-standardized relative survival of 33.7% for all locally advanced HNC [39]. The poor OS is in concordance with other studies from India [38,40]. The tobacco use, larger gross tumor volume, and decreased sepsis surveillance might result in inferior survival. Three-fourth of our patient population were tobacco users. The smokers at diagnosis have a significantly decreased OS and were almost twice as likely to die than non-smokers [41,42]. Secondly, a larger GTV is known to have a poorer outcome. Carpen et al. [43] reported a primary GTV of >38 cm3 and a larger nodal GTV as a continuous variable had a significantly poorer OS. In the present study, the median GTV (primary + nodal) was 58.2 mL. Thirdly, the acute mortality during CRT of HNC is a poorly understood and under-reported event. Mirabile et al. [44], in a literature review, stated that the acute mortality of CRT is between 2%–9.3%, and the majority are sepsis-related. Also, the unknown causes of acute deaths are likely related to sepsis. We report 12 early deaths due to sepsis and the proposed toxicity syndrome published earlier [45]. Though OS is poor in our study, the local-regional control rate is satisfactory with medial time to LRF of 33 months.

Being a retrospective study is the main limitation. No comparison was made between the radical and adjuvant groups because of heterogenous subsites. Though different from other pharyngo-laryngeal cancers, the SCC of the salivary gland and external auditory canal were included. The primary outcome was late toxicity, and RT is similar in these patients. The strength of our study lies in excellent long-term follow-up with minimal censoring of data. The treatment received by the study population was homogenous in terms of RT dose, techniques, and chemotherapy protocol. We report rates of aspiration after IMRT and correlated with RT dose received by DARS. Aspiration is often underreported in literature due to its elusive nature.

In conclusion, we demonstrated reasonable long-term toxicities in LAHNSCC in a real-world setting. By limiting the dose to salivary glands, constrictors, and larynx, a lower incidence of xerostomia, dysphagia, and aspiration can be achieved using IMRT. Further prospective studies are needed to know the impact on quality of life after IMRT.

Notes

Conflict of Interest

No potential conflict of interest relevant to this article was reported.

Acknowledgements

The authors thank all the staff of Department of Radiation Oncology, Medical Oncology, Surgical Oncology, Pain & Palliative, and ENT at St John’s Medical College and Hospital.

Supplementary Materials

Supplementary materials can be found via https://doi.org/10.3857/roj.2020.00913.

Table S1.

Late toxicities and dose to OARs

roj-2020-00913-suppl1.pdf
Table S2.

Cause of death

roj-2020-00913-suppl2.pdf
Table S3.

Predictors of overall survival (Cox proportional hazard analysis)

roj-2020-00913-suppl3.pdf

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Article information Continued

Fig. 1.

(A) The median time to locoregional failure was 33 months (95% confidence interval [CI], 1–76). (B) The median time to overall survival was 19.26 months (95% CI, 14.7–23.8).

Table 1.

Baseline characteristics

Characteristic Number of patients (%)
Sex
 Female 27 (26.2)
 Male 76 (73.8)
Primary site
 Oral cavity 39 (37.9)
 Oropharynx 19 (18.4)
 Hypopharynx 20 (19.4)
 Larynx 15 (14.6)
 Othersa) 10 (9.7)
T stage
 0 4 (3.9)
 1 7 (6.8)
 2 17 (16.5)
 3 38 (36.9)
 4 37 (35.9)
N stage
 0 30 (29.1)
 1 23 (22.3)
 2 38 (36.9)
 3 12 (11.7)
Stage grouping
 III 32 (31.1)
 IVA 40 (38.8)
 IVB 31 (30.1)
Treatment received
 RT alone 12 (11.6)
 PORT 21 (20.4)
 RT + Chemo 56 (54.4)
 PORT + Chemo 14 (13.6)
Substance abuse
 Tobacco chewing 43 (41.7)
 Smoking 52 (50.5)
 Alcohol 25 (24.3)

Cancer subsites in radical group (n = 68): hypopharynx (20), oropharynx (19), oral cavity (13), larynx (9), CUP (3), EAC (3), and SNC (1).

Cancer subsites in adjuvant group (n = 35): oral cavity (26), larynx (6), CUP (1), SG (1), and SN (1).

RT, radiation therapy; PORT, postoperative radiation therapy; CUP, cervical node with unknown primary; EAC, external auditory canal; SNC, sinonasal cancer; SN, sinonasal; SG, salivary gland.

a)

Others: CUP (4), EAC (3), SN (2), and SG (1).

Table 2.

Late toxicities

Late toxicities Incidence (any grade)a) Grade 3 Grade 2 Grade 1
Xerostomia
 6 months 47.2 (34/72) 0 4 30
 1 year 41.8 (23/55) 0 3 20
 2 years 30.9 (13/42) 0 1 12
 3 years 24.2 (8/33) 0 0 8
Dysphagia
 6 months 37.5 (27/72) 3 2 22
 1 year 27.3 (15/55) 2 1 12
 2 years 23.8 (10/42) 1 1 8
 3 years 12.1 (4/33) 0 1 3
Aspiration
 6 month 34.7 (25/72) 3 5 17
 1 year 14.5 (8/55) 1 1 6
 2 years 11.9 (5/42) 0 0 5
 3 years 3.0 (1/33) 0 0 1
a)

The cumulative incidence of xerostomia, dysphagia, and aspiration at 6 months, 1 year, 2 years, and 3 years. Data are presented as percentage (number of patients with specified toxicities).