The recurrence rate of head and neck cancers (HNCs) after initial treatment may reach 70%, and poor prognosis is reported in most cases. Curative options for recurrent HNCs mainly depend on the treatment history and the recurrent tumor localization. Reirradiation for HNCs is effective and has been included in most guidelines. However, the option remains clinically challenging due to high incidence of severe toxicity, especially in cases of quick infield recurrence. Recent technical advances in radiation therapy (RT) provide the means for upgrade in reirradiation protocols. While the majority of hospitals stay focused on conventional and widely accessible modulated RTs, the particle therapy options emerge as tolerable and providing further treatment opportunities for recurrent HNCs. Still, the progress is impeded by high heterogeneity of the data and the lack of large-scale prospective studies. This review aimed to summarize the outcomes of reirradiation for HNCs in the clinical perspective.
头颈部肿瘤(HNCs)经初始治疗后复发率可达70%,且多数病例预后不良。复发性头颈部肿瘤的根治性治疗方案主要取决于既往治疗史及复发肿瘤的定位。头颈部肿瘤再程放疗具有确切疗效,已被纳入多数诊疗指南。然而,由于严重毒性反应发生率高(尤其在野内快速复发病例中),该方案在临床上仍面临挑战。放射治疗技术的最新进展为再程放疗方案的优化提供了可能。尽管多数医院仍聚焦于传统且广泛应用的调强放疗,粒子治疗作为耐受性良好且能为复发性头颈部肿瘤提供更多治疗选择的新兴方案正在崭露头角。然而,现有数据的高度异质性和大规模前瞻性研究的缺乏仍制约着该领域进展。本综述旨在从临床角度系统总结头颈部肿瘤再程放疗的治疗结局。
An Overview of Head and Neck Tumor Reirradiation: What Has Been Achieved So Far?