ESTRO 2025 - Abstract Book

S986

Clinical – Head & neck

ESTRO 2025

Oncology, Jena University Hospital, Jena, Germany. 4 Partner Site Jena, Comprehensive Cancer Center Central Germany, Jena, Germany. 5 Clinic for Otorhinolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgery, Department of Head Medicine and Oral Health, University of Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany. 6 Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Jena University Hospital, Jena, Germany. 7 Department of Medical Psychology and Medical Sociology, University Medical Center Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany Purpose/Objective: Fear of cancer recurrence (FCR) is a major concern among survivors of human papillomavirus (HPV)-associated oropharyngeal carcinoma, particularly as they often face long-term physical and psychological challenges despite favorable survival rates. This study aimed to investigate the prevalence of FCR in adults treated with (chemo)radiation for HPV-positive oropharyngeal carcinoma, focusing on how demographic, clinical, and psychosocial factors may influence FCR levels. Material/Methods: This cross-sectional observational study was conducted at two university cancer centers to evaluate FCR in adults with HPV-positive oropharyngeal cancer who had been treated with (chemo)radiation. Quality of life (QoL) was evaluated with the EORTC QLQ-C30 questionnaire, psychological distress with the NCCN Distress Thermometer, depression with the PHQ-9 questionnaire, anxiety with the GAD-7 questionnaire, while FCR was assessed with the 12-item short version of the Fear of Progression (FoP-Q-SF) questionnaire. Results: Out of 92 potentially eligible patients, 83 could be reached and 50 (60%) consented to participate in the study. Median age at the start of radiotherapy was 62.5 years (IQR, 57-67), and most patients were male (n=36, 72%). Thirteen patients (26%) were treated with definitive (chemo)radiation, while 37 (74%) received postoperative (chemo)radiation. The median time interval between end of (chemo)radiation and questionnaire completion was 44 months (IQR, 22 54). The mean global QoL score was 67 (SD, 20) points, and 16 patients (32%) reported clinically relevant psychological distress (distress score ≥5). The median PHQ-9 and GAD-7 scores were 4 (IQR, 2-6) and 3 points (IQR, 0.75-5.25), respectively. The median FoP-Q-SF value was 23.5 (IQR, 19-32) points, and strong FCR (≥34 points) was reported by 9 patients (18%). Higher FCR was inversely correlated with QoL (Pearson’s r = -0.35, p <0.05), while it was positively correlated with depression (r = 0.58, p <0.001) and anxiety (r = 0.72, p <0.001). No significant associations were found between FCR and age, sex, performance status, smoking status, tumor stage, type of treatment (definitive versus postoperative (chemo)radiation), time interval between end of (chemo)radiation and questionnaire completion, or psychological distress. Conclusion: In this bicentric cross-sectional observational study, strong FCR was present in about one fifth of surviving adults with HPV-associated oropharyngeal carcinoma after (chemo)radiation. Survivors with higher FCR had a lower QoL, and higher levels of depression and anxiety. These findings underscore the importance of addressing FCR in adults with HPV-associated oropharyngeal carcinoma. Future analyses will compare FCR between HPV-positive and HPV-negative oropharyngeal cancer patients.

Keywords: Quality-of-life, human papillomavirus

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Digital Poster Dosimetric trismus predictors in HNC: interim analysis of a prospective international study Cristiano Grossi 1 , Orges Spahiu 2 , Elena Gallio 1 , Chiara Cavallin 1 , Valeria Chiofalo 1 , Erica Maria Cuffini 1 , Francesca Catena 1 , Chiara Casale 1 , Ada Celislami 1 , Alessandro Tortarolo 3 , Mario Levis 1 , Maria Grazia Piancino 3 , Umberto Ricardi 1 , Giuseppe Carlo Iorio 1