Induction chemotherapy followed by radiotherapy for N3 head and neck squamous cell carcinoma

Chengrun Du, Pierre Blanchard, Caroline Even, Angela Boros, Philippe Gorphe, Ingrid Breuskin, Neus Baste-Rotllan, France Nguyen, Amandine Ruffier, François Bidault, Camélia Billard, François Janot, Haitham Mirghani, Stephane Temam, Yungan Tao

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    4 Citations (Scopus)

    Abstract

    Background: The treatment outcomes for N3 HNSCC treated with induction chemotherapy (ICT) followed by definitive radiation were reported to clarify the role of ICT and potential prognostic factors. Methods: A retrospective study was conducted on 120 patients with N3 (≥6 cm) HNSCC, who were treated with ICT as initial treatment. Survival outcomes and potential prognostic factors were reported. Results: The response rate to ICT was 68.3%. There was a statistically significant difference between responders and non-responders in terms of 5-year OS (35.1% vs 13.3%, P <.001) and PFS (29.4% vs 7.4%, P <.001). Good response to ICT (P <.001) and upfront neck dissection (UFND) before radiotherapy (P =.016) were factors predicting for better OS. However, UFND before radiotherapy was not associated with improved outcomes among responders. Conclusions: This study suggests that ICT could be one treatment option for N3 HNSCC. Among responders to ICT, UFND before radiotherapy could be avoided.

    Original languageEnglish
    Pages (from-to)426-433
    Number of pages8
    JournalHead and Neck
    Volume42
    Issue number3
    DOIs
    Publication statusPublished - 1 Mar 2020

    Keywords

    • N3
    • head and neck cancers
    • induction chemotherapy
    • upfront neck dissection

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