Reirradiation of head and neck neoplasms using twice-a-day scheduling

Between 1985 and 1988, we have explored the value of twice-a-day (BID) irradiation for the retreatment of head and neck neoplasms. In this pilot study of ten patients we used a schedule of BID irradiation at fraction sizes between 1.4 and 1.6 Gy separated by at least 6 h. Of the four patients were treated with curative intent, three patients received 30 Gy in 20 fractions over twelve days followed within ten days by an interstitial/intracavitary Ir-192 implant boost to doses of 30 to 40 Gy and one patient was treated with a 32 Gy BID boost. Four patients were reirradiated with aggressive palliation and received 45 Gy in 30 fractions over 26 days including a break in the third week. The remaining two patients were treated with palliative intent to 30 Gy in 20 fractions over twelve days. Eight patients were treated for recurrent/persistent or second carcinomas, one for a recurrent glomus jugulare tumor. At a median follow-up of 36 months, ranging from six to 61 months, nine of ten patients experienced excellent symptomatic relief. Five patients are alive and free of tumor, one patient is alive with distant metastases, and two each are dead from local or systemic tumor progression. All four patients retreated for cure are alive with no evidence of local disease. The tolerance and tumor control rate of the BID reirradition schedule were good with severe late sequelae in only one patient. (orig.)