BACKGROUNDThe authors evaluated whether modern photon techniques, such as stereotactic fractionated radiation therapy (FSRT) or intensity‐modulated RT, outweighed the biologic advantages of high‐linear‐energy transfer RT in the treatment of patients with locally advanced adenoid cystic carcinomas (ACC) that infiltrated the skull base or the orbit.METHODSBetween June 1995 and December 2003, 63 patients with ACC were treated with modern RT techniques at the University of Heidelberg. The treatment results achieved with modern photon techniques alone were compared with the results achieved with combined photon RT and a carbon ion boost. Twenty‐nine patients (Group A) were treated with a combination of photon RT and a carbon ion boost. Thirty‐four patients (Group B) received photon RT alone.RESULTSThe median follow‐up was 16 months for Group A and 24 months for Group B. Locoregional control rates at 2 years and 4 years were 77.5% and 77.5% for Group A and 72.2% and 24.6% for Group B, respectively (P = 0.08; log‐rank test). Disease‐free and overall survival rates at 2 years/4 years were 71.5%/53% and 86.6%/75.8% for Group A and 69.2%/23% and 77.9%/77.9% for Group B, respectively. Rates for severe late toxicity were < 5% for both groups.CONCLUSIONSModern RT techniques allowed the safe delivery of high target doses to patients with locally advanced ACC. Late toxicity rates were kept lower compared with the historic neutron therapy data. A combination of modern photon RT and carbon ion RT seemed to be advantageous, with a trend toward higher locoregional control rates compared with modern photon RT alone. Cancer 2005. © 2005 American Cancer Society.

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Background: The aim of this treatment planning study was to investigate the potential advantages of intensity-modulated (IM) proton therapy (IMPT) compared with IM photon therapy (IMRT) in nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC).

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Our preliminary evaluation indicates that an initial high f may predict poor prognosis in HNSCC. In responders, a significant increase of all IVIM parameters after therapy was demonstrated.

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BACKGROUND:Local control in patients with adenoid cystic carcinoma (ACC) of the head and neck remains a challenge because of the relative radioresistance of these tumors. This prospective carbon ion pilot project was designed to evaluate the efficacy and toxicity of intensity-modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) plus carbon ion (C12) boost (C12 therapy). The authors present the first analysis of long-term outcomes of raster-scanned C12 therapy compared with modern photon techniques. METHODS: Patients with inoperable or subtotally resected ACC received C12 therapy within the pilot project. Whenever C12 was not available, patients were offered IMRT or fractionated stereotactic radiotherapy (FSRT). Patients received either C12 therapy at a C12 dose of 3 Gray equivalents (GyE) per fraction up to 18 GyE followed by 54 Gray (Gy) of IMRT or IMRT up to a median total dose of 66 Gy. Toxicity was evaluated according to version 3 of the Common Toxicity Terminology for Adverse Events. Locoregional control (LC), progression-free survival (PFS), and overall survival (OS) were analyzed using the Kaplan-Meier method. RESULTS: Fifty-eight patients received C12 therapy, and 37 received photons (IMRT or FSRT). The median follow-up was 74 months in the C12 group and 63 months in the photon group. Overall, 90% of patients in the C12 group and 94% of those in the photon group had T4 tumors; and the most common disease sites were paranasal sinus, parotid with skull base invasion, and nasopharynx. LC, PFS, and OS at 5 years were significantly higher in the C12 group (59.6%, 48.4%, 76.5%, respectively) compared with the photon group (39.9%, 27%, and 58.7%, respectively). There was no significant difference between patients who had subtotally resected and inoperable ACC. CONCLUSIONS: C12 therapy resulted in superior LC, PFS, and OS without a significant difference between patients with inoperable and partially resected ACC. Extensive and morbid resections in patients with advanced ACC may need to be reconsidered. The most common site of locoregional recurrence remains in field, and further C12 dose escalation should be evaluated. Cancer 2015;121:3001-9.