Chemoradiation May Help Increase Cancer Survival Rates

The addition of chemotherapy to radiation therapy (RT) improves survival rates among a subset of septuagenarian head and neck cancer patients, according to a new study.

Researchers at the University of Colorado (Anschutz; Aurora, USA) queried the US National Cancer Data Base (NCDB) for records of patients older than 70 years who were treated for non-metastatic head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) cancers between 1998 and 2011. The patients were then divided into two groups, based on whether or not patients received chemotherapy concurrent with RT (CRT), defined as beginning a course of chemotherapy within 14 days of RT.

The results showed that 68% of the patients received RT alone, and 32% received CRT. When compared to RT alone, CRT demonstrated a survival benefit among septuagenarians that was similar to that of younger HNSCC patients with limited comorbidity and later-stage disease. Specifically, CRT was beneficial for patients 71–79 years of age with low comorbidity scores and advanced disease stage. The study was presented at the annual Multidisciplinary Head and Neck Cancer Symposium, held during February 2016 in Scottsdale (AZ, USA).

“Because the toxicity of concurrent chemoradiation is greater than radiation alone for definitive HNSCC treatment, many clinicians have reservations about offering CRT for elderly head and neck cancer patients,” said senior author and study presenter Sana Karam, MD, PhD, assistant professor of radiation oncology at Anschutz. “However, in the era of improved radiation techniques, improved systemic therapy and better supportive care, we find that CRT does, in fact, improve survival for a large segment of this population.”

HNSCC develops in the mucous membranes of the mouth, nose, and throat, and is classified by its location: the oral cavity, the oropharynx, the nasal cavity and paranasal sinuses, the nasopharynx, the larynx, and the hypopharynx. The can also be grouped into wider oropharyngeal, laryngeal, and hypopharyngeal cancers. Depending on the location, the cancer can cause ulcerations, unusual bleeding or pain, sinus congestions, pain when swallowing or difficulty swallowing, a hoarse voice, difficulty breathing, or enlarged lymph nodes.

Related Links:
University of Colorado