AUTHOR=Amini Arya , McDermott Jessica D. , Gan Gregory , Bhatia Shilpa , Sumner Whitney , Fisher Christine M. , Jimeno Antonio , Bowles Daniel W. , Raben David , Karam Sana D. 

TITLE=Stereotactic Body Radiotherapy as Primary Therapy for Head and Neck Cancer in the Elderly or Patients with Poor Performance

JOURNAL=Frontiers in Oncology

VOLUME=4

YEAR=2014

URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/oncology/articles/10.3389/fonc.2014.00274

DOI=10.3389/fonc.2014.00274

ISSN=2234-943X

ABSTRACT=<p><bold>Objective:</bold> Stereotactic body radiotherapy (SBRT) is increasingly used to treat a variety of tumors, including head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) in the recurrent setting. While there are published data for re-irradiation using SBRT for HNSCC, there are limited data supporting its use as upfront treatment for locally advanced disease.</p><p><bold>Study Design/Methods:</bold> Here, we describe three patients who received SBRT as the primary treatment for their HNSCC along with a review of the current literature and discussion of future pathways.</p><p><bold>Results:</bold> The three cases discussed tolerated treatment well with manageable acute toxicities and had either a clinical or radiographic complete response to therapy.</p><p><bold>Conclusion:</bold> Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma presents a unique challenge in the elderly, where medical comorbidities make it difficult to tolerate conventional radiation, often given with a systemic sensitizer. For these individuals, providing a shortened course using SBRT may offer an effective alternative.</p>