Comprehensive IMRT plus weekly cisplatin for advanced head and neck cancer: The University of Wisconsin experience

Abstract

Background. We retrospectively examined the treatment efficacy and toxicity profile of intensity‐modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) plus concurrent weekly cisplatin chemotherapy in patients with locoregionally advanced head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC). Methods. A total of 57 patients with stage III or IV HNSCC were treated with IMRT and concurrent weekly cisplatin (dosed at 30 mg/m²) between November 2001 and May 2007. The median prescription dose to the gross tumor volume was 70 Gy (using 2.0–2.2 Gy daily fractions). Results. In‐field tumor control at 2 years was 89.1%, locoregional control was 85.5%, and overall survival was 86.9%. The median radiation dose delivered was 70 Gy. The mean dose intensity of cisplatin administered was 25.7 mg/m²/week. Conclusion. Comprehensive head and neck IMRT to 70 Gy delivered with weekly cisplatin chemotherapy (30 mg/m²) is feasible and generally well tolerated. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Head Neck, 2010