Abstract
Background: The role of induction chemotherapy (IC) in locally-advanced head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (LAHNSCC) is unclear. Methods: A retrospective study of 104 patients with LAHNSCC of the larynx and hypopharynx, treated with IC or up-front chemoradiotherapy (CRT). Results: Eighty patients received CRT and 24 IC followed by CRT; median follow up was 51.33 months. IC significantly improved median overall survival (OS) in the hypopharyngeal cancer group (64.7 vs 21 months, P =.003); with significant difference in the proportion of complete response at first imaging assessment post definitive CRT; no significant difference in disease free survival (DFS), loco-regional or distant failure in the hypopharyngeal cancer group; or OS and DFS in the laryngeal cancer group. Patients with laryngeal cancer had significantly better median OS than those with hypopharyngeal cancer. Conclusions: IC significantly improved complete response rates after CRT, and improved outcomes for patients with locally advanced hypopharyngeal, not laryngeal, cancers.
Original language | English |
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Pages (from-to) | 3118-3124 |
Number of pages | 7 |
Journal | Head and Neck |
Volume | 42 |
Issue number | 11 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - 1 Nov 2020 |
Keywords
- hypopharyngeal cancer
- induction chemotherapy