Head and Neck Cancer
Conditions
Keywords
stage III squamous cell carcinoma of the hypopharynx, stage III squamous cell carcinoma of the larynx, stage III squamous cell carcinoma of the lip and oral cavity, stage III squamous cell carcinoma of the oropharynx, stage IV squamous cell carcinoma of the hypopharynx, stage IV squamous cell carcinoma of the larynx, stage IV squamous cell carcinoma of the lip and oral cavity, stage IV squamous cell carcinoma of the oropharynx
Brief summary
RATIONALE: Radiation therapy (RT) uses high-energy x-rays to damage tumor cells. Giving radiation therapy in different ways and combining it with chemotherapy before surgery may kill more tumor cells. It is not yet known which radiation therapy regimen combined with chemotherapy with or without surgery is more effective for head and neck cancer. PURPOSE: Randomized phase III trial to compare two different radiation therapy regimens combined with cisplatin with or without surgery in treating patients who have stage III or stage IV head and neck cancer.
Detailed description
OBJECTIVES: Primary * Compare overall survival of patients with stage III or IV squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck treated with conventional vs accelerated radiotherapy and concurrent cisplatin with or without surgical resection. Secondary * Compare local-regional control of disease and disease-free rates in patients treated with these regimens. * Compare the acute and late toxicity of these regimens in these patients. * Compare quality of life, perception of side effects, and performance status of patients treated with these regimens. * Determine whether epidermal growth factor receptor and cyclo-oxygenase-2 expressions are independent prognostic markers in patients treated with these regimens. OUTLINE: This is a randomized, multicenter study. Patients are stratified according to tumor site (larynx vs other), nodal stage (N0 vs N1 or N2a or N2b vs N2c or N3), and Zubrod performance status (0 vs 1). Patients are randomized to 1 of 2 treatment arms. * Arm I: Patients undergo standard fractionation radiotherapy 5 days a week for 7 weeks. Patients also receive cisplatin IV on days 1, 22, and 43. * Arm II: Patients undergo accelerated fractionation radiotherapy 5 days a week for 3.5 weeks and then twice a day, 5 days a week, for 2.5 weeks. Patients also receive cisplatin IV on days 1 and 22. Patients with biopsy-proven relapsed disease more than 3 months after completion of therapy undergo surgical resection of the primary tumor. Quality of life is assessed at baseline, during one of the last 2 weeks of treatment, at 3 and 12 months, and then annually for 4 years. Patients are followed at 6-8 weeks, every 3 months for 2 years, every 6 months for 3 years, and then annually thereafter. PROJECTED ACCRUAL: A total of 720 patients (360 per treatment arm) will be accrued for this study within 3 years.
Interventions
100 mg/m\^2 intravenously on days 1, 22
Radiation will be delivered in 2 Gy per fraction, five fractions a week. The primary tumor and clinically/radiologically involved nodes will receive 70 Gy in 7 weeks and uninvolved nodes will receive 50 Gy in 5 weeks. The anterior lower neck field will be treated with 2 Gy per fraction at 3-cm depth to a total dose of 50 Gy.
Radiation to the initial target volume encompassing the gross and subclinical disease sites will be delivered in 1.8 Gy per fraction, five fractions a week to 54 Gy in 30 fractions over 6 weeks. At 32.4 Gy/18 Fx (i.e., latter part of week 4), the boost volume covering gross tumor and clinically/radiologically involved nodes will receive boost irradiation of 1.5 Gy/Fx as second daily fraction (at least 6 h interval) for a total of 12 treatment days (18 Gy total). The primary tumor and clinically/radiologically involved nodes will receive 72 Gy in 42 fractions over 6 weeks and uninvolved nodes will receive 54 Gy in 6 weeks. Clinically/radiologically negative posterior neck should receive a minimum dose of 50.4 Gy at 3 cm. The anterior lower neck field will be treated with 1.8 Gy per fraction at 3-cm depth to a total dose of 50.4 Gy in 28 fractions in 5.6 weeks.
Surgical removal (salvage resection) of the primary tumor should be performed if biopsy-proven cancer remains more than three months after completion of therapy. The nature of the surgical resection should be dictated by the extent of tumor at the initial evaluation. The operation should be conducted using accepted criteria for primary surgical treatment of the cancer. A planned neck dissection for patients with multiple neck nodes or with lymph nodes exceeding 3 cm in diameter (N2a, N2b, N3) is mandatory, regardless of the clinical and/or radiographic response. A neck dissection is required for patients with N1 disease if a palpable or worrisome radiographic abnormality persists in the neck six weeks after completion of therapy. Surgery should be performed within 2 weeks once the decision for neck dissection is made.
Sponsors
Study design
Eligibility
Inclusion criteria
DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS: * Histologically confirmed squamous cell carcinoma of the oral cavity, oropharynx, hypopharynx, or larynx * Stage III or IV (T2, N2-3, M0 or T3-4, any N, M0) * No metastases below the clavicle or more distant by clinical exam or radiology PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS: Age * 18 and over Performance status * Zubrod 0-1 Life expectancy * Not specified Hematopoietic * Absolute granulocyte count at least 2,000/mm\^3 * Platelet count at least 100,000/mm\^3 Hepatic * Bilirubin no greater than 1.5 mg/dL * Alanine aminotransferase (ALT) or aspartate aminotransferase (AST) no greater than 2 times upper limit of normal Renal * Creatinine no greater than 1.5 mg/dL * Creatinine clearance at least 50 mL/min * Calcium normal Cardiovascular * No symptomatic coronary artery disease (angina) * No myocardial infarction within the past 6 months Other * No other invasive malignancy within the past 3 years except nonmelanoma skin cancer * No simultaneous primary tumors * Not pregnant or nursing * Negative pregnancy test * Fertile patients must use effective contraception PRIOR CONCURRENT THERAPY: Biologic therapy * Not specified Chemotherapy * No prior chemotherapy Endocrine therapy * Not specified Radiotherapy * No prior radiotherapy to the head and neck except radioactive iodine therapy Surgery * No prior surgery to the primary tumor or nodes except diagnostic biopsy or nodal sampling of neck disease * No radical or modified neck dissection
Design outcomes
Primary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Overall Survival (Percentage of Participants Alive) | From randomization to last follow-up. Follow-up schedule from end of treatment: 6-8 weeks, every 3 mo. for 2 yr., then every 6 mo. for 3 yr., then yearly. Maximum follow-up at time of analysis was 6.5 years. Three-year rates are reported here. | Overall survival time is defined as time from randomization to the date of death (failure) or last known follow-up (censored). Overall survival rates are estimated by the Kaplan-Meier method. The full distribution is the outcome of interest, and the protocol specifies that the distributions of failure times be compared between the arms, which is reported in the statistical analysis results. Three-year estimates are provided as a summary of the distributions. Analysis was planned to occur after 309 deaths had been reported. |
Secondary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Local-regional Failure (Alternate Definition) [Percentage of Participants With Local-regional Failure] | From randomization to last follow-up. Follow-up schedule from end of treatment: 6-8 weeks, every 3 mo. for 2 yr., then every 6 mo. for 3 yr., then yearly. Maximum follow-up at time of analysis was 6.5 years. Three-year rates are reported here. | Local-regional failure time is defined as time from randomization to relapse/progression in the primary tumor or regional nodes (event), death due to study cancer or unknown causes (event), death due to other causes (competing event), distant metastasis (competing event), or last follow-up (censored). Progression is defined as an estimated increase in the size of the tumor of greater than 25% or appearance of new areas of malignant disease. The full distribution is the outcome of interest, and the protocol specifies that the distributions of failure times be compared between the arms, which is reported in the statistical analysis results. Three-year estimates are provided as a summary of the distributions. Analysis was planned to occur after 309 deaths had been reported. |
| Disease-free Survival (Percentage of Participants Alive Without Disease) | From randomization to last follow-up. Follow-up schedule from end of treatment: 6-8 weeks, every 3 mo. for 2 yr., then every 6 mo. for 3 yr., then yearly. Maximum follow-up at time of analysis was 6.5 years. Three-year rates are reported here. | Disease-free survival time is defined as time from randomization to persistent disease in the primary tumor or regional nodes (considered an event at day 1), relapse/progression in either of those sites (considered an event at the time of relapse/progression), distant metastasis (event), second primary tumor (event), death (event), or last follow-up (censored). Progression is defined as an estimated increase in the size of the tumor of greater than 25% or appearance of new areas of malignant disease. The full distribution is the outcome of interest, and the protocol specifies that the distributions of failure times be compared between the arms, which is reported in the statistical analysis results. Three-year estimates are provided as a summary of the distributions. Analysis was planned to occur after 309 deaths had been reported. |
| Progression-free Survival (Alternate Definition of Disease-free Survival) [Percentage of Participants Alive Without Progression] | From randomization to last follow-up. Follow-up schedule from end of treatment: 6-8 weeks, every 3 mo. for 2 yr., then every 6 mo. for 3 yr., then yearly. Maximum follow-up at time of analysis was 6.5 years. Three-year rates are reported here. | Progression-free survival time is defined as time from randomization to relapse/progression in the primary site or regional nodes (event), distant metastasis (event), death (event), or last follow-up (censored). Progression is defined as an estimated increase in the size of the tumor of greater than 25% or appearance of new areas of malignant disease. The full distribution is the outcome of interest, and the protocol specifies that the distributions of failure times be compared between the arms, which is reported in the statistical analysis results. Three-year estimates are provided as a summary of the distributions. Analysis was planned to occur after 309 deaths had been reported. |
| Percentage of Participants With Toxicity Grade 3 or Higher | From randomization to last follow-up. Follow-up schedule from end of treatment: 6-8 weeks, every 3 mo. for 2 yr., then every 6 mo. for 3 yr., then yearly. Maximum follow-up at time of analysis was 6.5 years. | Acute radiation therapy toxicities (within 90 days from start of radiation therapy) and systemic effects at any time were scored using Common Toxicity Criteria (CTC) version 2.0. Late RT toxicities (\> 90 days from start of radiation therapy) were scored by the Radiation Therapy Oncology Group (RTOG)/European Organisation for. Research and Treatment of Cancer (EORTC) criteria. Both criteria grades toxicity severity from 1=mild to 5=death. Summary data is provided in this outcome measure; see Adverse Events Module for specific adverse event/toxicity data. |
| Performance Status Scale for Head and Neck Cancer (PSS-HN) Normalcy of Diet Score - Area Under the Curve (AUC) at One Year | Baseline (pretreatment), sometime during the last two weeks of treatment, three months from start of treatment, and one year from start of treatment. | The PSS-HN is a clinician-rated evaluation conducted as an unstructured interview format that assesses three functions: Normalcy of Diet (this outcome measure), Public Eating, and Understandability of Speech. Each function is scored from 0 to 100 and analyzed separately. Higher scores indicate better performance status. Treatment effect was analyzed as time-weighted average between baseline (pre-treatment) and one year calculated by use of area under the curve (AUC). |
| Local-regional Failure (Percentage of Participants With Local-regional Failure) | From randomization to last follow-up. Follow-up schedule from end of treatment: 6-8 weeks, every 3 mo. for 2 yr., then every 6 mo. for 3 yr., then yearly. Maximum follow-up at time of analysis was 6.5 years. Three-year rates are reported here. | Local-regional failure time is defined as time from randomization to persistent disease in the primary tumor or regional nodes (considered an event at day 1), relapse/progression in either of those sites (considered an event at the time of relapse/progression), death (competing event), or last follow-up (censored). Progression is defined as an estimated increase in the size of the tumor of greater than 25% or appearance of new areas of malignant disease. The full distribution is the outcome of interest, and the protocol specifies that the distributions of failure times be compared between the arms, which is reported in the statistical analysis results. Three-year estimates are provided as a summary of the distributions. Analysis was planned to occur after 309 deaths had been reported. |
| PSS-HN Understandability of Speech Score - AUC at One Year | Baseline (pretreatment), sometime during the last two weeks of treatment, three months from start of treatment, and one year from start of treatment. | The Performance Status Scale for Head and Neck Cancer (PSS-HN) is a clinician-rated evaluation conducted as an unstructured interview format that assesses three functions: Normalcy of Diet , Public Eating, and Understandability of Speech (this outcome measure). Each function is scored from 0 to 100 and analyzed separately. Higher scores indicate better performance status. Treatment effect was analyzed as time-weighted average between baseline (pretreatment) and one year calculated by use of area under the curve (AUC). |
| Head and Neck Radiotherapy Questionnaire (HNRQ) - AUC at One Year | Baseline (pretreatment), sometime during the last two weeks of treatment, three months from start of treatment, and one year from start of treatment. | The HNRQ is a patient-reported questionnaire administrated through a paper format; it measures radiation-related side effects and the overall well-being of head and neck cancer patients in the past week. The overall score is the mean of the 22 questions, with a range of 1 to 7. Higher scores indicate better quality of life. Treatment effect was analyzed as time-weighted average between baseline (pre-treatment) and 1 year calculated by use of area under the curve (AUC). |
| Correlation of Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor(EGFR) With Outcomes | From randomization to date of death or last follow-up | — |
| Correlation of COX-2 With Outcomes | From randomization to date of death or last follow-up | — |
| PSS-HN Public Eating Score - AUC at One Year | Baseline (pretreatment), sometime during the last two weeks of treatment, three months from start of treatment, and one year from start of treatment. | The Performance Status Scale for Head and Neck Cancer (PSS-HN) is a clinician-rated evaluation conducted as an unstructured interview format that assesses three functions: Normalcy of Diet , Public Eating (this outcome measure), and Understandability of Speech. Each function is scored from 0 to 100 and analyzed separately. Higher scores indicate better performance status. Treatment effect was analyzed as time-weighted average between baseline (pretreatment) and one year calculated by use of area under the curve (AUC). |
Countries
United States
Participant flow
Participants by arm
| Arm | Count |
|---|---|
| Standard Fractionation RT + Cisplatin Standard fractionation radiation therapy with concurrent cisplatin followed by conventional surgery for select patients. | 361 |
| Accelerated Fractionation RT + Cisplatin Accelerated fractionation radiation therapy by concomitant boost with concurrent cisplatin followed by conventional surgery for select patients. | 360 |
| Total | 721 |
Withdrawals & dropouts
| Period | Reason | FG000 | FG001 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Overall Study | Ineligible | 9 | 8 |
| Overall Study | Withdrawn consent | 2 | 3 |
Baseline characteristics
| Characteristic | Standard Fractionation RT + Cisplatin | Accelerated Fractionation RT + Cisplatin | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Age, Continuous | 56 years | 55 years | 56 years |
| Sex: Female, Male Female | 52 Participants | 72 Participants | 124 Participants |
| Sex: Female, Male Male | 309 Participants | 288 Participants | 597 Participants |
Adverse events
| Event type | EG000 affected / at risk | EG001 affected / at risk |
|---|---|---|
| deaths Total, all-cause mortality | — / — | — / — |
| other Total, other adverse events | 360 / 361 | 356 / 360 |
| serious Total, serious adverse events | 293 / 361 | 279 / 360 |
Outcome results
Overall Survival (Percentage of Participants Alive)
Overall survival time is defined as time from randomization to the date of death (failure) or last known follow-up (censored). Overall survival rates are estimated by the Kaplan-Meier method. The full distribution is the outcome of interest, and the protocol specifies that the distributions of failure times be compared between the arms, which is reported in the statistical analysis results. Three-year estimates are provided as a summary of the distributions. Analysis was planned to occur after 309 deaths had been reported.
Time frame: From randomization to last follow-up. Follow-up schedule from end of treatment: 6-8 weeks, every 3 mo. for 2 yr., then every 6 mo. for 3 yr., then yearly. Maximum follow-up at time of analysis was 6.5 years. Three-year rates are reported here.
Population: Eligible patients who did not withdraw consent.
| Arm | Measure | Value (NUMBER) |
|---|---|---|
| Standard Fractionation RT + Cisplatin | Overall Survival (Percentage of Participants Alive) | 64.3 percentage of patients |
| Accelerated Fractionation RT + Cisplatin | Overall Survival (Percentage of Participants Alive) | 70.3 percentage of patients |
Correlation of COX-2 With Outcomes
Time frame: From randomization to date of death or last follow-up
Population: No assays were performed and no data were collected for this outcome measure.
Correlation of Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor(EGFR) With Outcomes
Time frame: From randomization to date of death or last follow-up
Population: No assays were performed and no data were collected for this outcome measure.
Disease-free Survival (Percentage of Participants Alive Without Disease)
Disease-free survival time is defined as time from randomization to persistent disease in the primary tumor or regional nodes (considered an event at day 1), relapse/progression in either of those sites (considered an event at the time of relapse/progression), distant metastasis (event), second primary tumor (event), death (event), or last follow-up (censored). Progression is defined as an estimated increase in the size of the tumor of greater than 25% or appearance of new areas of malignant disease. The full distribution is the outcome of interest, and the protocol specifies that the distributions of failure times be compared between the arms, which is reported in the statistical analysis results. Three-year estimates are provided as a summary of the distributions. Analysis was planned to occur after 309 deaths had been reported.
Time frame: From randomization to last follow-up. Follow-up schedule from end of treatment: 6-8 weeks, every 3 mo. for 2 yr., then every 6 mo. for 3 yr., then yearly. Maximum follow-up at time of analysis was 6.5 years. Three-year rates are reported here.
Population: Eligible patients who did not withdraw consent
| Arm | Measure | Value (NUMBER) |
|---|---|---|
| Standard Fractionation RT + Cisplatin | Disease-free Survival (Percentage of Participants Alive Without Disease) | 51.4 percentage of participants |
| Accelerated Fractionation RT + Cisplatin | Disease-free Survival (Percentage of Participants Alive Without Disease) | 53.4 percentage of participants |
Head and Neck Radiotherapy Questionnaire (HNRQ) - AUC at One Year
The HNRQ is a patient-reported questionnaire administrated through a paper format; it measures radiation-related side effects and the overall well-being of head and neck cancer patients in the past week. The overall score is the mean of the 22 questions, with a range of 1 to 7. Higher scores indicate better quality of life. Treatment effect was analyzed as time-weighted average between baseline (pre-treatment) and 1 year calculated by use of area under the curve (AUC).
Time frame: Baseline (pretreatment), sometime during the last two weeks of treatment, three months from start of treatment, and one year from start of treatment.
Population: Eligible participants who did not withdraw consent, with all 4 assessments: baseline, last 2 weeks of treatment, 3 months, and one year.
| Arm | Measure | Value (MEAN) | Dispersion |
|---|---|---|---|
| Standard Fractionation RT + Cisplatin | Head and Neck Radiotherapy Questionnaire (HNRQ) - AUC at One Year | 5.27 score on a scale * months | Standard Error 0.07 |
| Accelerated Fractionation RT + Cisplatin | Head and Neck Radiotherapy Questionnaire (HNRQ) - AUC at One Year | 5.19 score on a scale * months | Standard Error 0.07 |
Local-regional Failure (Alternate Definition) [Percentage of Participants With Local-regional Failure]
Local-regional failure time is defined as time from randomization to relapse/progression in the primary tumor or regional nodes (event), death due to study cancer or unknown causes (event), death due to other causes (competing event), distant metastasis (competing event), or last follow-up (censored). Progression is defined as an estimated increase in the size of the tumor of greater than 25% or appearance of new areas of malignant disease. The full distribution is the outcome of interest, and the protocol specifies that the distributions of failure times be compared between the arms, which is reported in the statistical analysis results. Three-year estimates are provided as a summary of the distributions. Analysis was planned to occur after 309 deaths had been reported.
Time frame: From randomization to last follow-up. Follow-up schedule from end of treatment: 6-8 weeks, every 3 mo. for 2 yr., then every 6 mo. for 3 yr., then yearly. Maximum follow-up at time of analysis was 6.5 years. Three-year rates are reported here.
Population: Eligible patients who did not withdraw consent
| Arm | Measure | Value (NUMBER) |
|---|---|---|
| Standard Fractionation RT + Cisplatin | Local-regional Failure (Alternate Definition) [Percentage of Participants With Local-regional Failure] | 25.6 percentage of participants |
| Accelerated Fractionation RT + Cisplatin | Local-regional Failure (Alternate Definition) [Percentage of Participants With Local-regional Failure] | 28.2 percentage of participants |
Local-regional Failure (Percentage of Participants With Local-regional Failure)
Local-regional failure time is defined as time from randomization to persistent disease in the primary tumor or regional nodes (considered an event at day 1), relapse/progression in either of those sites (considered an event at the time of relapse/progression), death (competing event), or last follow-up (censored). Progression is defined as an estimated increase in the size of the tumor of greater than 25% or appearance of new areas of malignant disease. The full distribution is the outcome of interest, and the protocol specifies that the distributions of failure times be compared between the arms, which is reported in the statistical analysis results. Three-year estimates are provided as a summary of the distributions. Analysis was planned to occur after 309 deaths had been reported.
Time frame: From randomization to last follow-up. Follow-up schedule from end of treatment: 6-8 weeks, every 3 mo. for 2 yr., then every 6 mo. for 3 yr., then yearly. Maximum follow-up at time of analysis was 6.5 years. Three-year rates are reported here.
Population: Eligible patients who did not withdraw consent
| Arm | Measure | Value (NUMBER) |
|---|---|---|
| Standard Fractionation RT + Cisplatin | Local-regional Failure (Percentage of Participants With Local-regional Failure) | 25.5 percentage of participants |
| Accelerated Fractionation RT + Cisplatin | Local-regional Failure (Percentage of Participants With Local-regional Failure) | 28.7 percentage of participants |
Percentage of Participants With Toxicity Grade 3 or Higher
Acute radiation therapy toxicities (within 90 days from start of radiation therapy) and systemic effects at any time were scored using Common Toxicity Criteria (CTC) version 2.0. Late RT toxicities (\> 90 days from start of radiation therapy) were scored by the Radiation Therapy Oncology Group (RTOG)/European Organisation for. Research and Treatment of Cancer (EORTC) criteria. Both criteria grades toxicity severity from 1=mild to 5=death. Summary data is provided in this outcome measure; see Adverse Events Module for specific adverse event/toxicity data.
Time frame: From randomization to last follow-up. Follow-up schedule from end of treatment: 6-8 weeks, every 3 mo. for 2 yr., then every 6 mo. for 3 yr., then yearly. Maximum follow-up at time of analysis was 6.5 years.
Population: Eligible patients who did not withdraw consent
| Arm | Measure | Group | Value (NUMBER) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Standard Fractionation RT + Cisplatin | Percentage of Participants With Toxicity Grade 3 or Higher | Acute | 83.7 percentage of participants |
| Standard Fractionation RT + Cisplatin | Percentage of Participants With Toxicity Grade 3 or Higher | Late | 21.1 percentage of participants |
| Accelerated Fractionation RT + Cisplatin | Percentage of Participants With Toxicity Grade 3 or Higher | Acute | 80.0 percentage of participants |
| Accelerated Fractionation RT + Cisplatin | Percentage of Participants With Toxicity Grade 3 or Higher | Late | 25.7 percentage of participants |
Performance Status Scale for Head and Neck Cancer (PSS-HN) Normalcy of Diet Score - Area Under the Curve (AUC) at One Year
The PSS-HN is a clinician-rated evaluation conducted as an unstructured interview format that assesses three functions: Normalcy of Diet (this outcome measure), Public Eating, and Understandability of Speech. Each function is scored from 0 to 100 and analyzed separately. Higher scores indicate better performance status. Treatment effect was analyzed as time-weighted average between baseline (pre-treatment) and one year calculated by use of area under the curve (AUC).
Time frame: Baseline (pretreatment), sometime during the last two weeks of treatment, three months from start of treatment, and one year from start of treatment.
Population: Eligible patients who did not withdraw consent, with all 4 assessments: baseline, last 2 weeks of treatment, 3 months, and 12 months.
| Arm | Measure | Value (MEAN) | Dispersion |
|---|---|---|---|
| Standard Fractionation RT + Cisplatin | Performance Status Scale for Head and Neck Cancer (PSS-HN) Normalcy of Diet Score - Area Under the Curve (AUC) at One Year | 53.36 score on a scale * months | Standard Error 1.99 |
| Accelerated Fractionation RT + Cisplatin | Performance Status Scale for Head and Neck Cancer (PSS-HN) Normalcy of Diet Score - Area Under the Curve (AUC) at One Year | 53.63 score on a scale * months | Standard Error 1.97 |
Progression-free Survival (Alternate Definition of Disease-free Survival) [Percentage of Participants Alive Without Progression]
Progression-free survival time is defined as time from randomization to relapse/progression in the primary site or regional nodes (event), distant metastasis (event), death (event), or last follow-up (censored). Progression is defined as an estimated increase in the size of the tumor of greater than 25% or appearance of new areas of malignant disease. The full distribution is the outcome of interest, and the protocol specifies that the distributions of failure times be compared between the arms, which is reported in the statistical analysis results. Three-year estimates are provided as a summary of the distributions. Analysis was planned to occur after 309 deaths had been reported.
Time frame: From randomization to last follow-up. Follow-up schedule from end of treatment: 6-8 weeks, every 3 mo. for 2 yr., then every 6 mo. for 3 yr., then yearly. Maximum follow-up at time of analysis was 6.5 years. Three-year rates are reported here.
Population: Eligible patients who did not withdraw consent
| Arm | Measure | Value (NUMBER) |
|---|---|---|
| Standard Fractionation RT + Cisplatin | Progression-free Survival (Alternate Definition of Disease-free Survival) [Percentage of Participants Alive Without Progression] | 55.8 percentage of participants |
| Accelerated Fractionation RT + Cisplatin | Progression-free Survival (Alternate Definition of Disease-free Survival) [Percentage of Participants Alive Without Progression] | 57.0 percentage of participants |
PSS-HN Public Eating Score - AUC at One Year
The Performance Status Scale for Head and Neck Cancer (PSS-HN) is a clinician-rated evaluation conducted as an unstructured interview format that assesses three functions: Normalcy of Diet , Public Eating (this outcome measure), and Understandability of Speech. Each function is scored from 0 to 100 and analyzed separately. Higher scores indicate better performance status. Treatment effect was analyzed as time-weighted average between baseline (pretreatment) and one year calculated by use of area under the curve (AUC).
Time frame: Baseline (pretreatment), sometime during the last two weeks of treatment, three months from start of treatment, and one year from start of treatment.
Population: Eligible patients who did not withdraw consent, with all 4 assessments: baseline, last 2 weeks of treatment, 3 months, and 12 months.
| Arm | Measure | Value (MEAN) | Dispersion |
|---|---|---|---|
| Standard Fractionation RT + Cisplatin | PSS-HN Public Eating Score - AUC at One Year | 65.81 score on a scale * months | Standard Error 2.18 |
| Accelerated Fractionation RT + Cisplatin | PSS-HN Public Eating Score - AUC at One Year | 67.10 score on a scale * months | Standard Error 2.12 |
PSS-HN Understandability of Speech Score - AUC at One Year
The Performance Status Scale for Head and Neck Cancer (PSS-HN) is a clinician-rated evaluation conducted as an unstructured interview format that assesses three functions: Normalcy of Diet , Public Eating, and Understandability of Speech (this outcome measure). Each function is scored from 0 to 100 and analyzed separately. Higher scores indicate better performance status. Treatment effect was analyzed as time-weighted average between baseline (pretreatment) and one year calculated by use of area under the curve (AUC).
Time frame: Baseline (pretreatment), sometime during the last two weeks of treatment, three months from start of treatment, and one year from start of treatment.
Population: Eligible patients who did not withdraw consent, with all 4 assessments: baseline, last 2 weeks of treatment, 3 months, and 12 months.
| Arm | Measure | Value (MEAN) | Dispersion |
|---|---|---|---|
| Standard Fractionation RT + Cisplatin | PSS-HN Understandability of Speech Score - AUC at One Year | 90.48 score on a scale * months | Standard Error 1.18 |
| Accelerated Fractionation RT + Cisplatin | PSS-HN Understandability of Speech Score - AUC at One Year | 91.77 score on a scale * months | Standard Error 1.11 |