“CLINICALASSESSMENT OF TREATMENT RELATED TOXICITY AND RESPONSE BY CONCOMITANT CHEMORADIATION THERAPY IN LOCALLY ADVANCED HEAD AND NECK CARCINOMA”

Abstract

Introduction: Head and neck cancer is the commonest malignancy in India. Most of the cases present are at a locally advanced stage. Concurrent chemo radiotherapy is one of the treatment options in locally advanced Head & Neck Cancer patients. Materials & Methods: Locally advanced head and neck cancer patients attending the Out Patient Department of Radiotherapy from May 2018 to February 2020. Patients were treated with concurrent chemoradiation and followed for a minimum period of 9 months. Results: On analysing the pattern of response, it was noted that, in the chemoradiation complete response was seen in 20 patients (66.66%), partial response in 6 patients (20%), stable disease in 2 patients (6.66%) and progressive disease in 1 patient (3.33%). In our study, complete Response in case of Stage III was seen in 18 patients and other form of response was seen in 3 patients . In case of Stage IV A and IV B , Complete Response in 2 patients and other form of response was in 6 patients respectively. Haematological toxicities like neutropenia (3.3%), thrombocytopenia (0%) and anaemia (3.3%) were seen. Acute toxicities like oral mucositis and skin reaction were observed 10% in both the cases. Conclusions: The present study, Concomitant chemoradiotherapy improved overall survival and locoregional control. Preservation of function is a major endpoint of interest.