Clin Exp Otorhinolaryngol.  2015 Dec;8(4):416-421. 10.3342/ceo.2015.8.4.416.

Tumor Regression Patterns Based on Follow-up Duration in Patients With Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma Treated With Radiotherapy or Chemoradiotherapy

• Kong M
• Hong SE

• KMID: 2128920
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.3342/ceo.2015.8.4.416

Abstract

OBJECTIVES
We describe patterns of tumor regression based on follow-up duration after radiotherapy (RT) or chemo-RT in patients with head and neck squamous cell carcinoma.
METHODS
Thirty-one patients with head and neck squamous cell carcinoma were included in this study and received definitive RT or chemo-RT. The pattern of primary tumor regression after treatment was evaluated every 1 to 2 months. Predictive factors for the length of time to full regression were also analyzed.
RESULTS
Among all patients, 27 patients showed regression of the primary tumor, 24 patients showed >50% regression, and 15 patients showed total regression. The primary tumor gradually regressed during the course of follow-up. The median time to full regression was 5.2 months (range, 1.3 to 17.9 months). In the 24 patients who showed >50% regression, the rate of >50% regression increased over time as follows: 25.0% at 1 month, 62.5% at 2 months, 75.0% at 3 months, 91.7% at 4 months, and 95.8% at 5 months. Higher total RT dose and shorter RT duration were associated with longer time to full regression.
CONCLUSION
A substantial number of patients showed continuous regression of the primary tumor for more than 2 months after treatment. The timing for evaluation of tumor regression must be greater than 2 months from the completion of RT or chemo-RT in patients with head and neck squamous cell carcinoma.

Keyword

Carcinoma, Squamous Cell of Head and Neck; Radiotherapy; Regression

MeSH Terms

Carcinoma, Squamous Cell*
Chemoradiotherapy*
Follow-Up Studies*
Head*
Humans
Neck*
Radiotherapy*

Figure

• 

  Fig. 1 Schematic summary of primary tumor regression after radiotherapy or chemoradiotherapy in patients with head and neck squamous cell carcinoma. Among all patients, 27 patients showed regression of primary tumor, 24 patients showed >50% regression, and 15 patients showed total regression.

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  Fig. 2 Patterns of primary tumor regression in 27 patients with head and neck squamous cell carcinoma who showed regression of primary tumor after radiotherapy or chemoradiotherapy. The median time to full regression was 5.2 months (range, 1.3 to 17.9 months).

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  Fig. 3 Development patterns of >50% and total primary tumor regression based on follow-up duration after radiotherapy or chemoradiotherapy in 24 patients who showed >50% regression and 15 patients who showed total regression. The rates of >50% and total regression increased over time. The median time to >50% and total regression were 1.9 months (range, 0.7 to 5.2 months) and 4.1 months (range, 1.3 to 15.9 months), respectively.

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