Study of Unilateral Neck Irradiation in Patients With SCC of the Head and Neck

Beth Israel Lahey Health

Status

Completed

Conditions

Squamous Cell Carcinoma of the Head and Neck

Treatments

Radiation: Radiation therapy

Radiation: definitive external beam radiation in the ipsilateral neck

Study type

Interventional

Funder types

Other

Identifiers

NCT00206752

ETH136-03D

186-03

Details and patient eligibility

About

The purpose of this study is to assess the feasibility of avoiding opposite side neck radiation therapy in patients with clearly one side squamous cell cancer of the head and neck. We aim to assess the reduction in treatment volume (amount of radiation therapy required), and the resultant xerostomia and mucositis, with the delivery of unilateral neck radiation therapy.

Full description

Patients will be treated with definitive external beam radiation plus/minus chemotherapy plus/minus neck dissection in the ipsilateral neck (post radiation). The primary site will be treated with definitive radiation therapy, or definitive surgery plus post-operative radiation therapy. Primary endpoints are loco-regional control, as well as quality of life, xerostomia, mucositis, and neck fibrosis.

Salivary evaluations shall be performed prior to the initiation of radiation therapy, during the second week of EBRT, and at the completion of radiation. Evaluations will also be conducted at 3, 6, and 12 months after the completion of EBRT.

Oral mucositis will be assessed prior to the initiation of EBRT and weekly during EBRT. Evaluations will also be conducted at 3 and 6 months after the completion of EBRT. Two standardized mucositis scales will be used: the RTOG scale and the WHO scale.

Clinical response will be evaluated by physical exam and PET/CT. PET/CT scans will be done at 3, 6, 12, 18, and 24 months, and then when clinically indicated during follow-up.

Enrollment

45 patients

Sex

All

Ages

18+ years old

Volunteers

No Healthy Volunteers

Inclusion criteria

Squamous cell carcinoma of the oral cavity or oropharynx, with the primary lesion >1 cm from the midline.
Patient has no clinical or radiologic evidence of contralateral neck node metastases.
No evidence of distant metastasis.
No previous history of radiation therapy or chemotherapy
performance status 0-2
Age >= 18
Signed informed consent
Patients must be accessible for treatment and follow-up

Exclusion criteria

HIV positive patients
Pregnancy or any patients not practicing contraception
Active tobacco or alcohol addiction (as assessed by medical caregiver)
Serious comorbid disease which prevents delivery of full treatment including psychiatric disorders, cardiopulmonary disease, etc.
Concomitant use of any trial anticancer therapeutic within 30 days of entry
Uncontrolled hypertension
Known hypersensitivity to mammalian cell-derived products