The Preliminary Results of Intensity-Modulated Radiotherapy for Tonsillar Cancer.
10.3857/jkstro.2009.27.3.120
- Author:
Geumju PARK
1
;
Sang Wook LEE
;
Eun Kyung CHOI
;
Jong Hoon KIM
;
Si Yeol SONG
;
Sang Min YOUN
;
Sung Ho PARK
;
Dong Wook PARK
;
Seung Do AHN
Author Information
1. Department of Radiation Oncology, Asan Medical Center, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea. lsw@amc.seoul.kr
- Publication Type:Original Article
- Keywords:
Tonsillar cancer;
Intensity-modulated radiotherapy;
Radiotherapy
- MeSH:
Disease-Free Survival;
Follow-Up Studies;
Humans;
Mucositis;
Radiotherapy, Intensity-Modulated;
Retrospective Studies;
Tonsillar Neoplasms;
Xerostomia
- From:The Journal of the Korean Society for Therapeutic Radiology and Oncology
2009;27(3):120-125
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:Korean
-
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.
