Conventional radiotherapy versus concurrent chemoradiotherapy versus accelerated radiotherapy in locoregionally advanced carcinoma of head and neck: Results of a prospective randomized trial

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study was to report the results of a phase III, 3-arm, randomized trial comparing conventional radiotherapy (RT) to concurrent chemoradiotherapy (CRT) and accelerated RT in advanced head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC). METHODS: One hundred eighty-six of 750 planned patients were randomized to receive one of the following treatment plans: RT (66-70 Gy/2 Gy fraction/5 fractions weekly; CRT of weekly cisplatin (30 mg/m(2) ) with the same RT dose; or accelerated RT alone of 66 to 70 Gy/2 Gy fraction/6 fractions weekly were available for analysis. The primary endpoint was locoregional control at 5 years. RESULTS: The mean follow-up was 54 months. Among the 3 arms, CRT showed superior locoregional control (49%; p = .049). RT had lower grade ≥3 mucositis and late toxicity. CONCLUSION: CRT is associated with significantly better locoregional control as compared to RT and accelerated RT with higher but acceptable acute and late toxicities.