Authors : Peoli Mukutawat; Vivek Kaushal; Rakesh Dhankhar; Rajeev Atri; Anil Kumar Dhull; Sheeba Bhardwaj; Shuchita Rohaj; Bibhavendra Kumar Singh; Kunwar Prativyom; Dr. Anita’s
Volume/Issue : Volume 5 - 2020, Issue 7 - July
Google Scholar : http://bitly.ws/9nMw
Scribd : https://bit.ly/39tZNhS
DOI : 10.38124/IJISRT20JUL449
Introduction:
Head and neck cancers include malignant
neoplasms that develop in the oral cavity, nasal cavity,
paranasal sinuses, pharynx, larynx and salivary glands.
Out of the newly diagnosed patients of head and neck
carcinoma in India, most of the patients present in
locally advanced stage. Because of extensive local
disease and associated co-morbidities and compromised
KPS, palliative radiation therapy is preferred treatment
for these patients.
Material and methods:
The study was conducted on 60 previously
untreated, histo-pathologically proven patients of
locally advanced head and neck cancer who were
randomized in two equal groups by draw of lots. Study
group received radiation dose of 30 Gy/ 10 fractions / 2
weeks followed by repeat dose of 30 Gy/ 10 fractions / 2
weeks (Total dose 60 Gy in 20 fractions delivered with a
gap of 4 weeks). Control group received radiation dose
of 20 Gy/ 5 fractions/ 5 days followed by repeat dose of
20 Gy/ 5 fractions/ 5 days followed by repeat dose of 20
Gy/ 5 fractions/ 5 days (Total dose 60 Gy in 3 sessions
with a gap of 3 weeks each). Objectives were to compare
efficacy of above schedules based on symptomatic relief
and overall tumor response and to compare the
toxicities of the above schedules.
Results and Conclusion:
To expedite the treatment time in tertiary care
centres, control group (20 Gy / 5 fractions / 1 week; 3
weekly X 3) was better than the study group (30 Gy / 10
fractions / 2 weeks; 4 weekly X 2) as it had comparable
local control and toxicity (acute mucosal reactions being
slightly higher in the study group) with the added
advantage of only 15 total fractions (machine days) in
control group rather than 20 total fractions (machine
days) in study group. This reduced the patient visits to
the hospital by one week (i.e. 5 fractions) with
comparable local control and toxicity.