Abstract
Objective
Examination of the rate of grade III or grade IV radiation dermatitis during treatment
of head and neck cancer (HNC) with radiotherapy (RT) and concurrent cetuximab in EORTC
centres.
Materials and method
A questionnaire was sent to all members of the EORTC Radiation Oncology Group and
Head and Neck Group (111 institutions) to evaluate the widespread use of cetuximab
and radiotherapy in HNC and to estimate the frequency of grades III and IV skin reactions
in the radiation portals associated with this protocol. Co-morbidities, RT schedules
and co-medications were also recorded.
Results
We received responses from 28 institutions in 11 countries. A total of 125 HNC patients
from 15 institutions were treated with cetuximab and concurrent RT. Information about
the skin reactions was available from 71 patients. Of these 36 had no grade III/IV
adverse effects in the RT field, 15 had a grade III and 20 had grade IV radiation
dermatitis. No detectable relation of grades III and IV radiation dermatitis with
co-morbidities such as liver insufficiency or renal dysfunction was found.
Conclusion
According to the results of the questionnaire, grade III/IV radiation dermatitis is
observed in 49% of HNC patients treated with cetuximab and concurrent RT. A systematic
clinical monitoring of cutaneous side effects during RT plus cetuximab is advised
to ensure the safety of this protocol.
Keywords
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Article info
Publication history
Published online: November 03, 2008
Accepted:
September 9,
2008
Received in revised form:
September 9,
2008
Received:
June 6,
2008
Identification
Copyright
© 2008 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.