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.

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.

Purpose: The study evaluates accelerated hypofractionated radiotherapy (AHRT) compared to conventional fractionation radiotherapy (CFRT) in patients with locally advanced head and neck cancer (LAHNC) receiving definitive chemoradiation therapy. Materials and Methods: The study includes a retrospective cohort analysis of 120 patients. CFRT arm (n = 65) received 2 Gy per fraction to a dose of 70 Gy over 7 weeks in a three-volume approach, whereas the AHRT arm (n = 55) received 2.2 Gy per fraction to a dose of 66 Gy in 6 weeks with a two-volume approach. The primary outcome was overall survival (OS). Results: With a median follow-up of 18.9 months, 23 patients died in the AHRT arm, and 45 deaths in the CFRT arm. The median OS was 23.4 and 37.63 months in the CFRT and AHRT arms, respectively (hazard ratio [HR] = 0.709; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.425–1.18; p = 0.189). The median time to loco-regional control was 33.3 months in the CFRT arm and was not reached in the patient group receiving AHRT (HR = 0.558; 95% CI, 0.30–1.03; p = 0.065). The median progression-free survival was 15.9 months in the CFRT arm and 26.9 months in the AFRT arm (HR = 0.801; 95% CI, 0.49–1.28; p = 0.357). Out of 11 acute toxic deaths, eight were in the CFRT arm. Conclusion The study showed a trend towards benefit in terms of locoregional control in the AHRT arm and similar OS. A longer follow-up of patients receiving AHRT is required to assess the benefit.