Impact of total radiotherapy dose on survival for head and neck Merkel cell carcinoma after resection.

Impact of total radiotherapy dose on survival for head and neck Merkel cell carcinoma after resection.

Head Neck. 2017 Mar 29;:

Authors: Patel SA, Qureshi MM, Mak KS, Sahni D, Giacalone NJ, Ezzat W, Jalisi S, Truong MT

Abstract
BACKGROUND: Head and neck Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC) is commonly treated with surgery and adjuvant radiotherapy (RT) for high-risk features. The optimal radiation dose is unknown.
METHODS: One thousand six hundred twenty-five eligible patients with head and neck MCC were identified in the National Cancer Data Base (NCDB). Radiation dose was divided into 3 groups: 30 to <50 Gray (Gy), 50-55 Gy, and >55-70 Gy. Cox regression was used to compare overall survival (OS) between groups, accounting for age, sex, stage, surgery type, margin status, comorbidities, and use of chemotherapy.
RESULTS: With a median follow-up of 33.5 months, 3-year OS was 48.9%, 70.3%, and 58.7% for 30 to <50 Gy, 50-55 Gy, and >55-70 Gy, respectively (P < .001). Compared to 50-55 Gy, doses between 30 to <50 Gy (adjusted hazard ratio [HR] 1.53; 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.17-1.99; P = .002) and >55-70 Gy (adjusted HR 1.21; 95% CI 1.0-1.46; P = .06) were associated with worse survival.
CONCLUSION: Adjuvant radiation doses within 50-55 Gy may be optimal for head and neck MCC.

PMID: 28370725 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]

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