Patterns of postoperative radiotherapy for head and neck cancer in Italy: a prospective, observational study by the head and neck group of the Italian Association for Radiation Oncology (AIRO)

• DOI: 10.1700/667.7779
• Publication Date: 2011-03-01
• Authors: Mauro Palazzi; Daniela Alterio; Sandro Tonoli; Orietta Caspiani; Andrea Bolner; Sara Colombo; Stefano Dall’Oglio; Luciana Lastrucci; Feisal Bunkheila; Michele Cianciulli; Riccardo Vigna Ta...; Domenico Cante; Anna Merlotti; Ernestina Bianchi; Monica Rampino; Andrea Podhradska; Antonella Fontana; Fabiola Paiar; Francesco Miccichè; Roberto Manzo; Stefano Ursino; Lorenza Bruschieri; Almalina Bacigalupo; T. Iannone; R. Barca; Stefano Tomatis
• Keywords: Concomitant; Surgical oncology

AIMS AND BACKGROUND Our previous survey showed that the patterns of postoperative radiotherapy (PORT) for head and neck cancer (HNC) in Italy might be suboptimal. A prospective observational study was therefore designed to evaluate this issue greater detail. METHODS All centers involved HNC Working Group Italian Radiation Oncology Association were asked enter into all patients treated with PORT during a 6-month period. RESULTS total 200 accrued by 24 from December 2008 May 2009. Larynx (38%) oral cavity (34%) most common primary sites. The median time between surgery start 69 days (range, 25-215 days). Seventy-nine percent cases no evidence risk factors local recurrence high-dose site. In about 75% pN0 included target volume. Concomitant chemotherapy delivered 60% major 21% factors. CONCLUSIONS Three issues emerged our as potential targets future investigations: impact on clinical outcome interval PORT; driving radiation oncologists overtreat volumes at low recurrence; problems associated delivery concomitant chemotherapy.