Facility Volume and Radiation Outcomes for Head and Neck Cancers Linked

Relationship between higher-volume treatment centers and improved overall survival for head and neck cancers identified by Yale Cancer Center team researchers.

Relationship between higher-volume treatment centers and improved overall survival for head and neck cancers has been identified by Yale Cancer Center team researchers.

The findings were presented September 26 at the American Society for Therapeutic Radiology and Oncology (ASTRO) meeting in Boston.

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‘Patients treated at higher-volume facilities for locally advanced head and neck cancers were more likely to have shorter radiation therapy duration than those at lower volume facilities.’

The research team’s findings also revealed there was a 5.7% decreased hazard of death per additional 20 patients treated per year per facility.

When annual facility case volume was defined based on a threshold of 95 cases/year (90th percentile), there was a 17.5% decreased hazard of death for higher-volume versus lower-volume facilities.

“Our findings suggest a strong relationship between higher-volume radiation therapy facilities and improved overall survival for patients treated with IMRT for locally advanced head and neck cancers,” said Henry S. Park, MD, MPH, first author on the study and a chief resident in the Department of Therapeutic Radiology at Yale School of Medicine.

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Ionizing radiation can damage living tissue in the human body. It strips away electrons from atoms breaks some chemical bonds.

“Further investigation should focus on the role of other factors potentially underlying this association, including radiation contouring, education, multidisciplinary communication, and toxicity management.”

Source-Newswise

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