The Preliminary Results of Intensity-Modulated Radiotherapy for Tonsillar Cancer

Park, Geumju; Lee, Sang Wook; Choi, Eun Kyung; Kim, Jong Hoon; Song, Si Yeol; Youn, Sang Min; Park, Sung Ho; Park, Dong Wook; Ahn, Seung Do

Abstract

PURPOSE
We wanted to present the preliminary results of intensity-modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) for the treatment of tonsillar cancer.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
We retrospectively analyzed 12 patients who underwent IMRT for tonsillar cancer at Asan Medical Center between November 2002 and February 2007. Seven patients (58%) received definitive treatment, and five (42%) were treated in the postoperative setting. Among the definitively treated patients, 6 patients received cisplatin-based chemotherapy regimens. Simultaneous modulated accelerated radiation therapy (SMART) was used in nine patients. The prescribed dose was 72 Gy at 2.4 Gy/fraction for the definitively treated cases and 61.6 Gy at 2.2 Gy/fraction for the postoperative cases. The median follow-up period was 34 months.
RESULTS
All twelve patients completed treatment without interruption, and eleven showed a complete response. One patient had persistent loco-regional disease after treatment. The three-year estimates of loco-regional control, disease-free survival and overall survival were 91.7%, 91.7%, and 100%. The worst acute mucositis was Grade 1 in four patients, Grade 2 in five patients, Grade 3 in two patients and Grade 4 in one patient. Grade 3 xerostomia was observed in six patients. CONCLUSION: Intensity-modulated radiotherapy was shown to be a safe and effective treatment modality for tonsillar cancer. Further studies with a larger number of patients and a longer follow-up period are needed to evaluate the ultimate tumor control and late toxicity of IMRT for treating tonsillar cancer.