What is the role of postoperative re-irradiation in recurrent and second primary squamous cell cancer of head and neck? A literature review according to PICO criteria

Anna Merlotti; Rosario Mazzola; Daniela Alterio; Filippo Alongi; Almalina Bacigalupo; Pierluigi Bonomo; Marta Maddalo; Elvio Grazioso Russi; Ester Orlandi

doi:10.1016/j.critrevonc.2017.01.008

What is the role of postoperative re-irradiation in recurrent and second primary squamous cell cancer of head and neck? A literature review according to PICO criteria

Crit Rev Oncol Hematol. 2017 Mar:111:20-30. doi: 10.1016/j.critrevonc.2017.01.008. Epub 2017 Jan 17.

Authors

Anna Merlotti¹, Rosario Mazzola², Daniela Alterio³, Filippo Alongi⁴, Almalina Bacigalupo⁵, Pierluigi Bonomo⁶, Marta Maddalo⁷, Elvio Grazioso Russi¹, Ester Orlandi⁸

Affiliations

¹ Radiation Oncology, A.S.O. S.Croce e Carle, Cuneo, Italy.
² Radiation Oncology, Sacro Cuore-Don Calabria Cancer Care Center, Negrar-Verona, Italy.
³ Radiation Oncology, Advanced Radiotherapy Center, European Institute of Oncology, Milan, Italy.
⁴ Radiation Oncology, Sacro Cuore-Don Calabria Cancer Care Center, Negrar-Verona, Italy. Electronic address: dott.filippoalongi@gmail.com.
⁵ Radiation Oncology, AOU IRCCS San Martino - IST National Cancer Research Institute and University, Genoa, Italy.
⁶ Radiation Oncology, Department of Experimental and Clinical Biomedical Sciences, University of Florence, Florence, Italy.
⁷ Radiation Oncology, Brescia University, Brescia, Italy.
⁸ Radiotherapy 2 Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Milan, Italy.

PMID: 28259292
DOI: 10.1016/j.critrevonc.2017.01.008

Abstract

Re-irradiation has been increasingly offered as a potential effective treatment for head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) loco-regional recurrence as well as second primary tumor in previously irradiated area. This review focused on the role of postoperative re-irradiation (POreRT) in terms of feasibility, toxicity and long-term outcomes in HNSCC patients. The key issue for the research was formulated in two questions according to the PICO (population, intervention, control, and outcomes) criteria. A total of 16 publications met the inclusion criteria for a total of 919 patients; in 522 patients POreRT was performed. POreRT in recurrent and second primary HNSCC seems to be feasible in highly selected patients with the intent to guarantee an acceptable LC compared to surgery alone. The optimal RT schedule remains unclear due to the heterogeneity of literature data.

Keywords: Head and neck squamous cell cancer; Radiotherapy; Re-irradiation; Recurrence; Retreatment; Squamous cell carcinoma.

Publication types

Review

MeSH terms

Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / radiotherapy*
Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / surgery
Head and Neck Neoplasms / radiotherapy*
Head and Neck Neoplasms / surgery
Humans
Neoplasm Recurrence, Local / radiotherapy*
Neoplasms, Second Primary / radiotherapy*
Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic
Re-Irradiation
Squamous Cell Carcinoma of Head and Neck
Treatment Outcome