Salvage surgery after head and neck squamous cell carcinoma treated with bioradiotherapy

Head Neck. 2017 Jan;39(1):116-121. doi: 10.1002/hed.24549. Epub 2016 Jul 26.

Abstract

Background: The purpose of this study was to describe the results and complications of primary site salvage surgery after head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) treated with bioradiotherapy.

Methods: We conducted a retrospective chart review of 268 patients treated with bioradiotherapy between March 2006 and December 2013 at the Hospital Universitari de Bellvitge-ICO.

Results: Fifty-nine patients developed local recurrence or had residual disease with a 1-year and 3-year overall survival of 47% and 15.4%, respectively. Salvage surgery was feasible in 22 patients (37.3%). There were 16 complications in these 22 patients (72.7%), 11 (50%) of which were major. Bilateral neck dissection was identified as a risk factor for complications.

Conclusion: Salvage surgery after bioradiotherapy is associated with a high rate of complications. Neck dissection seems to be related to an increased rate of complications with no survival improvement. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Head Neck 39: 116-121, 2017.

Keywords: bioradiotherapy; cetuximab; head and neck cancer; head and neck squamous cell carcinoma; salvage surgery.

MeSH terms

  • Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / pathology
  • Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / radiotherapy*
  • Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / surgery*
  • Combined Modality Therapy
  • Conservative Treatment
  • Female
  • Head and Neck Neoplasms / pathology
  • Head and Neck Neoplasms / radiotherapy*
  • Head and Neck Neoplasms / surgery*
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Neck Dissection*
  • Neoplasm Recurrence, Local / mortality
  • Neoplasm Recurrence, Local / pathology
  • Neoplasm Recurrence, Local / surgery*
  • Retrospective Studies
  • Salvage Therapy*
  • Squamous Cell Carcinoma of Head and Neck
  • Survival Rate