Gross Tumor Volume Associated With Toxicity and Quality of Life for Patients With Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma Treated by Concurrent Chemoradiotherapy With Simultaneously Integrated Boost Technique

Fu-Min Fang

《International Journal of Head and Neck Science》 5卷3期 (2021/09) Pp. 111-124

https://doi.org/10.6696/IJHNS.202109_5(3).0004

摘要

Purpose: The study aims to evaluate the impact of gross tumor volume (GTV) on toxicities and quality of life (QoL) for patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) treated by concurrent chemoradiotherapy with simultaneously integrated boost intensity-modulated radiotherapy technique (chemo-SIB-IMRT). Methods: A total of 278 patients with stage II-IVb NPC treated by chemo-SIB-IMRT were enrolled. Toxicities were evaluated according to the Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events (CTCAE version 4.03). QoL outcomes (n = 219) were measured by using the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaire-Core 30-questions (EORTC QLQ-C30) and Head and Neck 35 cancer module (HN35) questionnaires at the time point of 12 months after chemo-SIB-IMRT. Results: A higher GTV was observed to be significantly associated with a higher mean or maximal dose in most organs at risk, together with more severe acute (mucositis, dermatitis, weight loss, and the use of analgesic) and late toxicities (xerostomia, neck fibrosis, and radiation neuropathy). A linear regression model revealed that a higher GTV was significantly associated with a decline in role functioning and an increment in taste/smell, speech, social eating, opening mouth, dry mouth, and sticky saliva. Conclusions: GTV is associated with some acute and late toxicities and QoL scales for NPC patients treated by chemo-SIB-IMRT.

關鍵字

gross tumor volume ； intensity-modulated radiotherapy ； nasopharyngeal carcinoma ； quality of life ； simultaneously integrated boost