Fractionated Radiation Therapy in Treating Advanced Squamous Cell Carcinoma of the Head and Neck
Head and Neck Cancer
About this trial
This is an interventional treatment trial for Head and Neck Cancer focused on measuring stage III squamous cell carcinoma of the lip and oral cavity, stage IV squamous cell carcinoma of the lip and oral cavity, stage II squamous cell carcinoma of the oropharynx, stage II lymphoepithelioma of the oropharynx, stage III squamous cell carcinoma of the oropharynx, stage III lymphoepithelioma of the oropharynx, stage IV squamous cell carcinoma of the oropharynx, stage IV lymphoepithelioma of the oropharynx, stage II squamous cell carcinoma of the hypopharynx, stage III squamous cell carcinoma of the hypopharynx, stage IV squamous cell carcinoma of the hypopharynx, stage III squamous cell carcinoma of the larynx, stage IV squamous cell carcinoma of the larynx
Eligibility Criteria
DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS: Histologically proven squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck, including lymphoepithelioma and anaplastic carcinoma Biopsy from the primary or regional nodes acceptable No adenocarcinomas The following stages and sites are eligible: Stage III/IV oral cavity, including: Anterior 2/3 of the tongue Buccal mucosa Floor of mouth Hard palate Gingiva Retromolar trigone Stage III/IV oropharynx, including: Tonsil and pillars Faucial arch and soft palate Posterolateral pharyngeal walls Stage II/III/IV base of the tongue and hypopharynx Stage III/IV supraglottic larynx, including: Ventricular band Arytenoid Supra- and infrahyoid epiglottis Aryepiglottic fold (tumors at glottic and subglottic sites excluded) Nonpalpable nodes detected only on CT or MRI must be at least 1.0 cm in diameter or contain necrosis to prove N+ disease No metastasis below the clavicle clinically or radiologically
PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS: Age: At least 18 Performance status: Karnofsky 60-100% Hematopoietic: Not specified Hepatic: Not specified Renal: Not specified Other: Medically able to withstand radiotherapy No second malignancy within 5 years except nonmelanomatous skin cancer Follow-up by participating radiotherapist required
PRIOR CONCURRENT THERAPY: Biologic therapy: Not specified Chemotherapy: No prior chemotherapy Endocrine therapy: Not specified Radiotherapy: No prior radiotherapy to head and neck No planned combined external beam and interstitial boost irradiation Surgery: No prior surgery (other than biopsy) No planned combined pre- or postoperative programs Radical neck dissections allowed if lymph nodes are greater than 3 cm prior to radiotherapy or involvement persists after treatment Resection of persistent disease at the primary site may be performed 6 weeks after completion of radiotherapy
Sites / Locations
Arms of the Study
Arm 1
Arm 2
Arm 3
Arm 4
Active Comparator
Experimental
Experimental
Experimental
Standard Fractionation
Hyperfractionation
Accelerated Hyperfractionation with split
Accelerated fractionation with concomitant boost
Standard Fractionation: 2 Gy/Fx, Q.D. 5 Days/wk, Total Dose: 70 Gy/35 Fx x 7 wks
Hyperfractionation: 1.2 Gy/Fx, b.i.d. (> 6 hours apart, 5 days/wk) Total Dose: 81.6 Gy/68 Fx/7 weeks
Accelerated Hyperfractionation with split: 1.6 Gy/Fx b.i.d. (> 6 hours apart), 5 days/wk, Total Dose: 67.2 Gy/42 Fx/6 wks with a 2 week rest after 38.4 Gy
Accelerated fractionation with concomitant boost