ESTRO 2024 - Abstract Book

S1422

Clinical - Head & neck

ESTRO 2024

A review protocol was developed as per PROSPERO guidelines (registration number CRD42023408439). A search was performed on PubMed/Medline, Scopus, CINAHL, Cochrane, and Embase electronic databases to identify studies reporting toxicities and clinical outcomes experienced by patients with OPSCC. Following the application of the inclusion and exclusion criteria, the title and abstract were screened. Eligible studies were systematically reviewed as per Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and meta-analysis (PRISMA) guidelines by two independent researchers (Figure 1).

Results:

Eleven studies were selected as per inclusion and exclusion criteria. Overall, the severity and incidence of acute side effects experienced by patients treated with proton therapy was reduced significantly in a clinical setting compared to photon therapy. 14.7% (n=36) of patients treated with protons and concurrent chemotherapy (CC) experienced Grade 2 or greater mucositis, 35.9% (n=93) of patients experienced Grade 3 or greater mucositis with photons and CC. Both treatment modalities required 32-56% of emergency room visits secondary to the severity of acute and long-term toxicities. Overall, xerostomia decreased 6-12 months post-treatment in both IMPT and IMRT/VMAT cohorts.

Conclusion:

IMPT is associated with less dysphagia, mucositis, and percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG) placement compared to IMRT when treating OPSCC. IMRT patients experienced more emergency room visits leading to hospitalisation in consequence to dehydration, weight loss and malnutrition. There was a lot of heterogeneity in