Radiotherapy for head and neck cancer of unknown primary sites: Is there a clinical benefit to elective mucosal irradiation?

doi:10.19438/j.cjoms.2018.03.011

Abstract

Abstract: PURPOSE: The optimal management is still controversial in head and neck cancer of unknown primary sites. Particular areas of controversy persist regarding whether elective mucosal irradiation should be performed. METHODS: Clinical data of patients with head and neck cancer of unknown primary sites treated with radiotherapy from 2009.01 to 2016.04 were retrospectively collected. Survival curves were estimated with Kaplan-Meier method and log-rank test with SPSS 20.0 software package. RESULTS: After a median follow-up of 63 months (range 5-126 months), the 5-year mucosal control rate was 100% and 72.0% (P=0.003) in patients treated with elective mucosal irradiation and neck treatment; the 5-year neck control rate was 92.9% and 57.7% (P=0.002), respectively. Primary tumor emerged in 7(26.9%) patients from the neck treatment group. CONCLUSIONS: Elective mucosal irradiation helps to provide a better balance between efficiency and toxicity in patients with head and neck cancer of unknown primary sites. Prospective study with more patients and long follow-up are needed.

Key words: Unknown primary sites, Cervical lymph node metastasis, Elective mucosal irradiation, Radiotherapy, Neck treatment

CLC Number:

R739.8

FENG Kun， DOU Sheng-jin， ZHU Guo-pei， ZHANG Zhi-yuan.. Radiotherapy for head and neck cancer of unknown primary sites: Is there a clinical benefit to elective mucosal irradiation?[J]. China Journal of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, 2018, 16(3): 248-252.

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