CyberKnife stereotactic radiosurgery for recurrent squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck following salvage surgery with close or positive margins

Laryngoscope. 2010:120 Suppl 4:S152. doi: 10.1002/lary.21616.

Abstract

Squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck (SCCHN) has traditionally been treated with a combination of surgery, chemotherapy, and external beam radiotherapy. While cure is generally the goal of these therapeutic modalities, recurrence is an unfortunately common outcome. Salvage surgery often results in close or positive surgical margins and the patient is at high risk for recurrence. Cyberknife stereotactic radiosurgery is a novel treatment that may benefit this subset of patients. This targeted treatment has shown promise in improving local control rates of tumors at multiple sites; however, the data for recurrent SCCHN is limited. In this case series, we present our experience with Cyberknife therapy in SCCHN patients who have undergone salvage surgery with close or positive margins.

MeSH terms

  • Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / surgery*
  • Head and Neck Neoplasms / surgery*
  • Humans
  • Neoplasm Recurrence, Local / surgery*
  • Radiosurgery / instrumentation
  • Radiosurgery / methods*
  • Retrospective Studies
  • Salvage Therapy
  • Treatment Outcome