Ann Clin Med Res | Volume 3, Issue 3 | Research Article | Open Access

Hypo Trial Palliative Radiotherapy for Advanced Head and Neck Cancer: A Review and Institutional Experience

Barros J*, Pires B, Rodrigues M, Serra T, Khouri L and Alves P

Department of Radiotherapy, Portuguese Institute of Oncology of Coimbra, Portugal

*Correspondance to: Joao Barros 

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Abstract

Introduction: In locoregional advanced or metastatic head and neck cancer that is not a candidate for curative treatment, systemic chemotherapy has shown a moderate to high rate of palliation. In frail patients who are not candidates for chemotherapy, palliative radiotherapy (RT) is normally used with the aim of achieving symptom palliation. The ‘‘Hypo Trial’’ regimen provided effective palliative treatment in head and neck patients unsuitable for curative treatment. Methods: We intended to characterize the patient pool that underwent this palliative RT treatment from the “Hypo Trial” (30Gy/5fr./2.5weeks) and to perform a comparative analysis between previously known data. This work intended to evaluate the therapeutic impact (response to treatment and survival analysis) in patients submitted to this palliative RT treatment scheme, treated in the Portuguese Institute of Oncology in Coimbra (IPOC), during the year of 2021. Results: This study included a total of 20 patients, the majority diagnosed with head and neck cancer (n=14) and 6 patients with dermatological malignancy. In terms of pain response, it was found that 75% of patients (n=15) showed a response and 45% (n=9) showed complete relief of pain complaints. Among all patients, 30% (n=6) had active bleeding prior to treatment and in only 1 patient the desired hemostatic effect was not achieved. Overall median survival time after diagnosis was 5.0 months. Discussion: In the original study, it was found that 67% of the patients presented a response in terms of pain relief, a value similar to that found in our study of 75% (n=15). 30% (n=6) of the patients had active bleeding prior to treatment, and in only 1 patient the desired hemostatic effect was not achieved. Conclusion: Palliative RT constitutes an essential therapeutic option in patients with locally advanced Head and Neck or Dermatology malignancies not able to tolerate a curative treatment option.

Keywords:

Radiotherapy; Palliative; Head and Neck

Citation:

Barros J, Pires B, Rodrigues M, Serra T, Khouri L, Alves P. Hypo Trial Palliative Radiotherapy for Advanced Head and Neck Cancer: A Review and Institutional Experience. Ann Clin Med Res. 2022;3(3):1065..

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