3D conformal hypofractionated radical radiotherapy in early glottic cancer

AbstractAimThe purpose of this study was to evaluate acute and late toxicity and the locoregional control in patients treated with hypofractionated radical radiotherapy 2.25Gy/fraction/day for early glottic carcinoma.Materials and methodsA retrospective analysis was performed of 27 patients, stage T1–T2 N0 glottic squamous cell carcinoma, that underwent radical RT from April 2008 to October 2011. The mean age was 64.6 years (range 36–81). Seventeen patients were staged T1a, 3 patients T1b and 7 patients T2. All patients were 3D planned and treated in a 6MV LINAC, 2.25Gy/fraction/5 days per week, to a total dose between 63Gy and 67.5Gy. Biological Effective Dose (BED (α/β=10)) ranged from 77.18Gy to 82.69Gy and EQD2 from 64.31Gy to 68.91Gy. Patients were evaluated in periodic follow-up. Toxicity was evaluated according to RTOG Toxicities Scales.ResultsWith a median follow-time of 24.7 months (range 3.6–44.2 months), no evidence of locoregional recurrence was observed. The treatment was well tolerated and no unscheduled interruptions in treatments for toxicity were documented, with the median overall treatment time of 41 days (range 38–48). Only grades 1 and 2 acute toxicity were observed and no evidence of severe late toxicity.ConclusionThe authors believe that this moderately hypofractionated scheme can provide a good locoregional control for T1–T2 glottic carcinomas with no increase of toxicity. As the limitation of this work is the reduced number of patients and the lack of long term follow-up, the authors hope to update this retrospective study in the future in order to improve the power of the results