Acute Mucosal Reactions in Conventional and Concomitant Boost Radiotherapy Schedules in Locally Advanced Oropharayngeal Carcinoma

Murali Paramanandhan, Shankar Lal Jakhar, Rajesh Kumar, Ramesh Purohit

Abstract: Background head and neck carcinoma is most common cancer in India and chemo-radiotherapy is the treatment of choice. However altered fractionation schedules have been tried with varying results. The most commonly encountered toxicities during treatment is the mucositis. Aim compare the mucosal reaction in two radiotherapy schedules in locally advanced oropharyngeal carcinomas. Material and methods 50 biopsy proven patients with locally advanced oropharyngeal carcinoma were randomised and treated with conventional chemo radiotherapy of 66Gy/33# with cisplatin 40mg/m2 weekly. In the other arm, a dose of 67.5 Gy/40#. Results Grade III mucositis was 32 % vs 24 % (>0.05) in conventional arm and in boost arm respectively. Conclusion The mucositis was slightly higher in the conventional arm when compared to the boost arm, but was statistically insignificant.

Keywords: Radiotherapy, Conventional Fractionation, Altered Fractionation, Mucositis