8 min | Latest | RadOnc | Publication Source

• Podcast based on: Schleifenbaum, J.K., Morgenthaler, J., Sharma, S.J. et al. Optimising (re-)irradiation for locally recurrent head and neck cancer: impact of dose-escalation, salvage surgery, PEG tube and biomarkers on oncological outcomes—a single centre analysis. Radiat Oncol 20, 1 (2025). https://doi.org/10.1186/s13014-024-02570-y Type: Article | Publication date: Jan 2, 2025
• Summary: This single-centre retrospective study analysed outcomes for 101 patients with locally recurrent head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) treated with radiotherapy (RT), with or without chemotherapy or immunotherapy, between 2010 and 2018. The study identified several prognostic factors influencing overall survival (OS), including whether patients received initial RT versus re-irradiation (re-RT), the presence of a percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG) tube, the Glasgow Prognostic Score, and the administered radiation dose. Salvage surgery before RT was a positive prognostic factor, while re-RT was associated with significantly poorer OS. The study highlights the need for larger prospective trials to confirm these findings and refine treatment strategies.
• Keywords: Recurrent head and neck cancer, Reirradiation, Salvage therapy, PEG tube, Inflammation, Biomarkers

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