Radiation therapy, cisplatin and hyperthermia in combination in management of patients with recurrent carcinomas of the head and neck with metastatic cervical lymph nodes

Abstract

Twenty-one patients with recurrent carcinomas of the head and neck with metastatic cervical lymph nodes were treated with radiation therapy, cisplatin and hyperthermia in combination, in an attempt to investigate any potential contribution in terms of safety, response, duration of palliation and quality of life. Patients not initially treated with radiation therapy were treated with a median dose of 70Gy and patients initially treated with radiation therapy with a median dose of 30Gy. The median number of weekly cisplatin courses was five and the median number of twice weekly local external ultrasound hyperthermia sessions was five. Average T₉₀, Average T₅₀ and Average T₁₀ were 39.9±1.2°C, 42.4±1.3°C and 44.5±0.8°C, respectively, and Average CEM 43°C T₉₀, Average CEM 43°C T₅₀ and Average CEM 43°C T₁₀ were 7.8±9.6min, 22.6*plusmn;18.8 min and 39.3±25.1 min, respectively. Mean follow-up was 1 year. Nodal complete response was achieved in eight patients and palliation of presenting symptoms in 19. Overall survival was 39% at 1 year. Grade 3 acute skin toxicity was observed in one patient and Grade 3 acute haematological toxicity in one. Radiation therapy, cisplatin and hyperthermia in combination appear to be safe and might improve response, prolong duration of palliation and reinstate quality of life in patients with recurrent carcinomas of the head and neck with metastatic cervical lymph nodes.

• Radiation Therapy;Hyperthermia;Cisplatin;Head;Neck;Neoplasms;Neoplasm Recurrence