Recurrence sites following definitive intensity-modulated conformational radiotherapy of squamous-cell carcinomas of the upper aerodigestive tract

The implementation of intensity-modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) in a centre requires regular critical review of medical practices and feedback to optimize the subsequent management of patients. Patients and methods: We reviewed and determined through a retrospective single-centre study recurrence sites of 167 consecutive patients treated for head and neck squamous cell carcinoma excluding skin or sinuses. Patients had mostly stage III or IV locally advanced cancer (. n=. 123). Results: Locoregional control rates at 1 and 2 years were respectively 87.9% (95% confidence interval [95%CI]: 81.6%-92.1%) and 77.6% (95%CI: 70.1%-83.5). Among 55 relapses, 20 patients (36.4%) had treatment failures. Patients treated with 70. Gy relapsed mainly in high risk volume (78%). Those treated with 66. Gy recurred regionally outside the irradiated volume (. n=. 4) or in the irradiated high risk volume (. n=. 3) or had isolated metastatic failure (. n=. 3). Those irradiated with 50. Gy had regional relapse outside the irradiated volume (. n=. 2) or isolated metastatic relapse (. n=. 2). We noticed respectively 5.4%, 10.2% and 4.2% isolated metastatic, local, cervical lymph node relapse. Conclusion: Our results are consistent with data from the literature. Corrective actions were performed to enhance our practices.