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Accelerated Bifractionated Radiation with Concurrent Cisplatin Administration in Locally Advanced Head and Neck Cancer: A Feasibility Study

Aims and Background To test the feasibility of accelerated interrupted twice-daily radiation and concurrent cisplatin administration in patients with locally advanced head and neck cancer. Patients and Methods Nineteen patients with locally advanced head and neck cancer were treated with accelerated bifractionated radiation with concurrent administration of cisplatin. There were 18 men and 1 female with a median age of 60 years (range, 17–71) and median performance status of 90 (-range, 80–100). Sixteen patients (85%) presented with stage IV disease. Primary site included the nasopharynx (n = 7), oropharynx (n = 5), hypopharynx (n = 1) and larynx (n = 6). Radiation consisted of two fractions of 1.6 Gy each daily, five times weekly to a total dose of 64 Gy. Cisplatin was administered at a dose of 100 mg/m2 on days 2 and 28 of the treatment period. Results Nine patients achieved a complete response (47%; 95% CI, 25%–70%) and 5 a partial response (26%; 95% CI, 7%–46%). Grade III–IV toxicity included leukopenia (16%), mucositis (26%), dry mouth (5%), weight loss (16%) and infection (5%). After a median follow-up of 27.11 months (range, 1–33+), 9 patients have died. Median time to progression was 11 months (range, 1–32+) and median survival 25 months (range, 1–32+). Conclusions Accelerated twice-daily radiation with concurrent cisplatin is effective in locally advanced head and neck cancer and can be safely given with manageable toxicity.