Phase I/II trialPerioperative high dose rate brachytherapy (PHDRB) in previously irradiated head and neck cancer: Results of a phase I/II reirradiation study

Background and purposeThis study was undertaken to determine the feasibility of salvage surgery and PHDRB in patients with previously irradiated, recurrent head and neck cancer or second primary tumors arising in a previously irradiated field.Methods and MaterialsSixty-three patients were treated with surgical resection and PHDRB. The PHDRB dose was 4 Gy b.i.d. × 8 (32 Gy) for R0 resections and 4 Gy b.i.d. × 10 (40 Gy) for R1 resections, respectively. Further external beam radiotherapy or chemotherapy was not given.ResultsResections were categorized as R0 in 7 patients (11.1%) and R1 in 56 (88.9%). Thirty-four patients with R1 resections (54.0%) had microscopically positive margins, and 22 patients (34.9%) had close margins. Thirty-two patients (50.8%) developed RTOG grade 3 or greater adverse events including 3 fatal events. After a median follow-up of 6.8 years, the 5-year locoregional control rate and 5-year overall survival rates were 55.0% and 35.6%, respectively.ConclusionsSurgical resection and PHDRB is a successful treatment strategy in selected patients with previously irradiated head and neck cancer. Long-term locoregional control can be achieved in a substantial number of cases despite a high rate of inadequate surgical resections although at the expense of substantial toxicity.