Anticancer research 2017-02
Hypofractionated Palliative Radiotherapy with Concurrent Radiosensitizing Chemotherapy for Advanced Head and Neck Cancer Using the "QUAD-SHOT Regimen".
Abstract
Aim
To analyze the outcomes using the hypofractionated palliative radiotherapy regimen "QUAD-Shot" with concurrent radiosensitizing chemotherapy for advanced head and neck cancer.
Materials and methods
We analyzed twenty-one patients with newly-diagnosed or recurrent head and neck cancer treated with palliative hypofractionated concurrent chemoradiation using the QUAD-Shot regimen.
Results
All patients received at least one cycle of RT, with sixteen patients (76%) completing all three cycles. 85.7 % of patients had objective response to therapy with five patients (23.8%) demonstrating complete response (CR) and thirteen patients (61.9%) demonstrating partial response (PR). Palliation of symptoms was achieved in all (100%) of the sixteen patients that completed the three cycles. Median overall survival and median progression-free survival were 7 and 4 months, respectively.
Conclusion
QUAD-Shot palliative radiation therapy coupled with radiosensitizing chemotherapy is efficacious and well-tolerated in patients with newly-diagnosed or recurrent head and neck cancer not amenable to curative therapy.
Related Questions
When using Quad Shot regimen for palliation of unresectable head and neck cancers, would you treat concurrently with chemotherapy?
No. If palliative RT, I usually don’t recommend concomitant chemo.
What is a safe and effective dose and fractionation for palliating head and neck cancer?
I agree with aggressive treatment in patients with a good performance status. For those with a poor PS or with multiple comorbidities, we've used the QUAD SHOT regimen- 14Gy over 4 fractions in 2 days, repeated every 4 weeks up to a dose of 42Gy/12 fractions, if tolerated. This fractionation gives a...