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Published in: Radiation Oncology 1/2012

Open Access 01-12-2012 | Case report

Head and neck region consolidation radiotherapy and prophylactic cranial irradiation with hippocampal avoidance delivered with helical tomotherapy after induction chemotherapy for non-sinonasal neuroendocrine carcinoma of the upper airways

Authors: Pierfrancesco Franco, Gianmauro Numico, Fernanda Migliaccio, Paola Catuzzo, Domenico Cante, Paola Ceroni, Piera Sciacero, Pierpaolo Carassai, Paolo Canzi, Maria Rosa La Porta, Giuseppe Girelli, Valeria Casanova Borca, Massimo Pasquino, Santi Tofani, Franca Ozzello, Umberto Ricardi

Published in: Radiation Oncology | Issue 1/2012

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Abstract

Background

Non-sinonasal neuroendocrine carcinomas (NSNECs) of the head and neck are considered an unfrequent clinico-pathological entity. Combined modality treatment represents an established therapeutic option for undifferentiated forms where distant metastasis is a common pattern of failure.

Methods

We report on a case of NSNEC treated with sequential chemo-radiation consisting of 6 cycles of cisplatin and etoposide followed by loco-regional radiation to the head and neck and simultaneous prophylactic cranial irradiation to prevent from intracranial spread, delivered with helical tomotherapy with the 'hippocampal avoidance' technique in order to reduce neuro-cognitive late effects.

Results

One year after the end of the whole combined modality approach, the patient achieved complete remission, with no treatment-related sub-acute and late effects.

Conclusions

The present report highlights the importance of multidisciplinary management for NSNECs of the head and neck, as the possibility to achieve substantial cure rates with mild side effects with modern radiotherapy techniques.
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Metadata
Title
Head and neck region consolidation radiotherapy and prophylactic cranial irradiation with hippocampal avoidance delivered with helical tomotherapy after induction chemotherapy for non-sinonasal neuroendocrine carcinoma of the upper airways
Authors
Pierfrancesco Franco
Gianmauro Numico
Fernanda Migliaccio
Paola Catuzzo
Domenico Cante
Paola Ceroni
Piera Sciacero
Pierpaolo Carassai
Paolo Canzi
Maria Rosa La Porta
Giuseppe Girelli
Valeria Casanova Borca
Massimo Pasquino
Santi Tofani
Franca Ozzello
Umberto Ricardi
Publication date
01-12-2012
Publisher
BioMed Central
Published in
Radiation Oncology / Issue 1/2012
Electronic ISSN: 1748-717X
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1186/1748-717X-7-21

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