Oropharyngeal ca: IMRT spares salivary glands

BOSTON-A multicenter trial that tested intensity-modulated radiation therapy for patients with early-stage oropharyngeal cancer showed a reduction in long-term salivary toxicity while achieving good tumor control, according to research presented at ASTRO 2008.

The phase I/II trial was conducted by the Radiation Therapy Oncology Group (RTOG 0022) and led by Avraham Eisbruch, MD, from the University of Michigan.

A total of 69 patients were entered in the study during a 4-year period at 14 institutions in the U.S. and Canada. Dr. Eisbruch and colleagues reported a 2-year locoregional control rate of 91% and a 49% rate of acute salivary gland toxicity ( greater than or equal to Grade 2).

The rate of salivary gland toxicity dropped to 23% at 1 year and 13% at 2 years.