Objective: To determine the feasibility of a Gamma Knife boost after intensity-modulated radiation therapy in combination with multimodal therapy in patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma and sinonasal malignancies with skull base or cavernous sinus involvement.
Methods: Nine patients were treated with intensity-modulated radiation therapy followed by a Gamma Knife boost. In one case Gamma Knife was given as salvage treatment after resection. Five patients had sinonasal malignancies and 4 had nasopharyngeal carcinoma. The mean radiation therapy dose was 64.3 Gy (range, 54-70 Gy) at 2 Gy per fraction. The median interval from completion of radiation therapy to Gamma Knife boost was 2.2 months (range, 1-4 months). The most common indication for Gamma Knife boost was involvement of the cavernous sinus, which was identified in 7 patients. The median margin Gamma Knife dose delivered was 13 Gy (range, 12-20 Gy), with median prescription isodose of 50%.
Results: All patients tolerated the procedure well, with minimal toxicity. Local control rates were achieved in all patients and no acute grade 3-5 toxicity was observed. One patient experienced late grade 4 toxicity, which was potentially attributable to treatment. Distant failure occurred in 3 patients (1 patient with nasopharyngeal carcinoma and 2 patients with sinonasal malignancies).
Conclusions: Planned Gamma Knife boost followed intensity-modulated radiation therapy is feasible, safe, and provides excellent local control in patients with sinonasal malignancies and nasopharyngeal carcinoma, particularly in cases with cavernous sinus involvement. Further follow-up will be necessary to determine the long-term effectiveness and complication profile.
Keywords: Chemoradiotherapy; Gamma knife; Nasopharyngeal carcinomas; Sinonasal malignancies; Stereotactic radiosurgery.
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