Concurrent Chemoradiation is a Better Alternative than Radiotherapy alone in the Treatment of Inoperable Carcinoma Pyriform Fossa-A Multi Centre Clinical Experience in Bangladesh

Article Information

Bhuiyan MZR1*, Hasan T1, Rasheed MO1, Sharmin S1, Razib SFA2

1Department of Oncology, BSMMU, Dhaka, Bangladesh

2Department of Otolaryngology, BSMMU, Dhaka, Bangladesh

*Corresponding Authors: Dr. Md. Zillur Rahman Bhuiyan, Associate Professor, Department of Oncology, BSMMU, Dhaka, Bangladesh

Received: 22 December 2020; Accepted: 05 January 2021; Published: 19 January 2021

Citation: Bhuiyan MZR, Hasan T, Rasheed MO, Sharmin S, Razib SFA. Concurrent Chemoradiation is a Better Alternative than Radiotherapy alone in the Treatment of Inoperable Carcinoma Pyriform Fossa-A Multi Centre Clinical Experience in Bangladesh. Journal of Cancer Science and Clinical Therapeutics 5 (2021): 106-113.

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Abstract

Background: The present study was aimed at describing a multicentre clinical experience in the treatment of Inoperable carcinoma pyrifom fossa. Carcinoma pyriform fossa is the most frequent cancer arising from the hypopharynx, is rarely diagnosed in its early stage and still a leading cause of mortality and morbidity in developing countries. Despite improvement in overall survival for pyriform fossa cancer, the locally advanced cancer remains essentially incurable.

Methods: This prospective observational study was carried out to compare the effects of concurrent chemoradiation and radiotherapy alone in locally advanced carninoma pyriform fossa cancer. The main objectives of this study are to assess the response and early toxicities in both concurrent chemoradiation and radiotherapy alone.

Results: A total number of 90 patients, 45 in each arm having advanced pyriform fossa cancer were included in the study. Highest percentage of the patients was habituated with smoking, betal nut chewing and tobacco leaf user. The most common presenting symptoms were cervical lymphadenopathy, sore throat and hoarseness of voice. Overall response of patients treated with concurrent chemoradiation was better than in comparison to only radiotherapy. As only a new treatment of locally advanced carcinoma of pyriform fossa concurrent chemoradiation (group-A) represents better symptom improvement, more toxicities and better tumor responses than radiotherapy alone (group-B) regimen.

Conclusion: In the treatment of locally advanced carcinoma pyriform fossa, concurrent chemoradiation with paclitaxel (40mg/m2I/V) weekly, represents better symptom improvement, tumor responses with manageable toxicities than radiotherapy alone.

Keywords

Concurrent chemoradiation (when any chemotherapeutic agents added during radiotherapy); Paclitaxel (chemotherapeutic agents)

Concurrent chemoradiation (when any chemotherapeutic agents added during radiotherapy) articles; Paclitaxel (chemotherapeutic agents)

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Article Details

1. Introduction

The hypopharynx extends the superior border of the epiglottis and the pharyngoepiglottic folds from the level of the hyoid bone above to the lower border of the cricoid cartilage below. It is divided into three primary anatomic subsites: the pyriform sinuses, the postcricoid area and the posterior pharyngeal wall. Squamous cell carcinoma of the hypopharynx is a relatively rare neoplasm accounting for 5% of all head and neck cancers [1]. Hypopharyngeal cancer remains one of the lethal malignancies of the upper aerodigestive tract [2, 3], with causes of death being locoregional reccurences, distant metastases,second primaries and comorbidities [4]. Squamous cell carcinoma of the pyriform sinus is a highly malignant disease with a generally poor prognosis, accounting for almost 70% of all hypopharyngeal cancers [5]. It arises from the mucosa of the anatomic subsite of the hypopharynx represented as analogous to an inverted pyramid situated leteral and medial walls narrowing inferiorly to form the apex with its tip extending slightly below extending slightly below the cricoid cartilage. The pyriform suinus, lying outside the glottis, is a silent area allowing tumors to grow for a substantial period of time before symptoms occur [6]. The majority of patients with pyriform sinus cancer present with a history of significant tobacco or alchohol use [7].

The pyriform sinus is formed by the intrusion of the larynx in to the anterior aspect of the pharynx, which produces pharyngeal grooves lateral to the larynx. The superior margin of the pyriform sinus is the pharyngoepiglottic fold, which is at the level of the hyoid bone. The pyriform sinus is shaped like an inverted pyramid. The inferior margin is the apex of the pyriform sinus and is at the level of the cricoid cartilage. The pyriform sinus has anterior, lateral, and medial walls, but no posterior wall. The anterior and lateral walls are formed by the thyrohyoid membrane and thyroid ala and the medial wall by the arytenoid cartilage and aryepiglottic fold [7].

Since no actual division exists between the pyriform sinus and other parts of the hypopharynx or oropharynx, the tumor spread submucosally, and direct extension can occur to the larynx esophagus,oropharynx and even the nasopharynx. From the apex it can spread to the false cord, aryepiglottic fold, arytenoids, ventricle and the subglottic area. Lymphatic spread is mainly to the jugular group of nodes, commonly to the subdigastric group of nodes and less commonly to the spinal accessory chain [8]. A sore throat that does not go away, ear pain, a lump in the neck, painful of difficulty swallowing, a change in the voice. In retrospective study more than two thirds of patients with pyriform sinus cancer present with in stage III and IV diseases. Both surgery and radiation therapy are the main stays of most curative efforts. In recently year's chemotherapy is added to the treatment modality for advanced pyriform fossa cancer [9].

2. Methodology

This was a prospective observational study. The respondent was selected and categoriesed as per inclusion and exclusion criteria, who were attend in OPD and indoor dept. of BSMMU and DMCH during data collection period. The study was carried out for a period of the 18 months from January 2017 to July 2018. The study was conducted in Department of Oncology BSMMU, NICRH and Radiotherapy Department of Dhaka Medical College Hospital (DMCH). Permission from the concern department were taken properly. Informed consent was taken from each patient before enrolling in the study. 45 patients in each group. Patients suffering from pyriform fossa lesion attending in OPD and indoor department of BSMMU and DMCH were taken as sample. Study population: Histologically confirmed locally advanced pyriform fossa cancer (Stage-Ill & IV (A), Squamous cell carcinoma). Among the registered cases the patients were divided into two groups, Group-A (concurrent chemoradiation) and Group-B (radiotherapy alone) Findings of observation were recorded on a pre-designed structured close-ended interview schedule.

3. Results

A total number of 90 patients 45 in each arm having advanced pyriform fossa cancer were included in the study. Highest percentage of the patients was habituated with smoking, betal nut chewing and tobacco leaf user. The most common presenting symptoms were cervical lymphadenopathy, sore throat and hoarseness of voice. Overall response of patients treated with concurrent chemo-radiation was better than in comparison to only radiotherapy. As only a new treatment of locally advanced carcinoma of pyriform fossa concurrent chemoradiotherapy (Group-A) represents better symptom improvement, more toxicities and better tumor responses than radiotherapy alone (Group-B).

Personal habit

(n=90)

Group A (n=45)

Group B (n=45)

P-value

No.

%

No.

%

No.

%

Smoking habit

Yes

63

70.00

29

64.44

34

75.55

0.260

No

27

30.00

16

34.78

11

24.44

Betel nut chewing

Yes

82

91.11

40

88.89

42

93.33

-

No

508

08.88

05

11.11

03

6.67

Tobacco leaf

Yes

81

90.00

39

86.67

42

93.33

-

No

09

10.00

06

13.33

03

6.67

Alcoholism

Yes

15

16.67

09

20.00

06

13.33

0.488

No

75

83.33

36

80.00

39

86.67

Highest percentage of the patients were habituated with smoking (70%), betel nut chewing (91.67%), tobacco leaf (90%), alcoholism (16.67%)

Table 1: Distribution of the subjects by personal habit.

Complaints

Group A (n=45)

Group B (n=45)

Total (n=90)

P value

No.

%

No.

%

No.

%

Progressive dysphagia

45

100.00

45

100.00

90

100.00

0.7

Painful Swallowing

42

93.33

44

97.78

86

95.56

Vomiting

41

91.11

39

86.7

80

88.89

Weight loss

21

46.67

24

53.3

45

50.00

On examination

Palpable lymph node

45

100.00

42

93.33

 87

96.67

0.5

All the patients had complaints of dysphagia (100%) followed by painful swallowing (95.56%), vomiting (88.89%), weight loss (50%). However, on examination, 96.67% had palpable lymph node.

Table 2: Distribution of the patients by complaints and finding from clinical examination.

Site of lesion

Group A (n=45)

Group B (n=45)

Total (n=90)

P value

No.

%

No.

%

No.

%

Right

21

46.67

17

37.77

38

42.22

0.153

Left

20

44.44

15

33.33

35

38.89

Both

04

08.89

13

28.89

17

18.89

Stages of tumour

T4N1 MO

16

35.56

13

28.89

29

32.22

0.137

T4N2 MO

27

60.00

25

44.64

52

57.78

T4N3 MO

02

4.44

07

15.56

09

10.00

Highest percentage (42.22) of the patients had tumour in right side of the pyriform fossa. Higher percentage (57.78) of patients were in the stage of T4N2M0

Table 3: Distribution of the patients by site of lesion and stages of tumour.

Treatment Response

Group A (n=45)

Group B (n=45)

P value

No.

%

No.

%

Partial response

35

77.78

22

48.89

0.089

Stable disease

07

15.56

14

31.11

Progressive disease

03

6.67

09

20.00

In group A 77.78% showed partial response where as in group B it was 48.89. Stable and progressive disease is less in group A

Table 4: Distribution of the patient by Treatment Response.

Mucositis

Group A (n=45)

Group B (n=45)

No.

%

No.

%

Pre-treatment

No

45

100.00

45

100.00

Yes

0

0.00

0

0.0

After 2nd wk

No

0

0.00

03

6.67

Yes

45

100.00

42

93.33

After 4th wk

No

0

0.00

02

04.44

Yes

45

100.00

43

95.55

After completion

No

16

36.67

 07

15.56

Yes

29

63.33

 38

84.44

1st follow up

No

21

46.67

16

35.56

Yes

24

53.33

29

64.44

2nd follow up

No

33

73.33

25

35.56

Yes

12

26.67

20

64.44

3rd follow up

No

38

83.33

30

55.56

Yes

07

16.67

15

44.44

4th follow up

No

42

93.33

38

84.44

Yes

03

6.67

507

15.56

During the treatment, the complaints of mucositis increase to nearly 100% both group A and group B patients and then gradually decrease to 6.67% in group A and 15.56% in group B patients, but the difference was not statistically significant

Table 5: Distribution of the subjects by toxicity (mucositis).

Stomatitis

Group A (n=45)

Group B (n=45)

No.

%

No.

%

Pre-treatment

No

45

100.00

43

95.56

Yes

00

0.00

02

04.44

After 2nd wk

No

04

08.89

15

33.33

Yes

41

91.11

30

66.67

After 4th wk

No

04

10.00

12

26.67

Yes

41

90.00

33

73.33

After completion

No

21

46.67

10

22.22

Yes

24

53.33

35

77.78

1st follow up

No

36

80.00

24

53.33

Yes

09

20.00

21

46.67

2nd follow up

No

39

86.67

33

73.33

Yes

06

13.33

12

26.67

3rd follow up

No

39

86.67

38

84.44

Yes

06

13.33

07

15.56

4th follow up

No

39

86.67

42

93.33

Yes

06

13.33

03

6.67

Initially one patient had complaint of stomatitis, during treatment increase to 90% in Group A patients and it increased up to 76.67% in Group B patients and then decreased to 13.33% in Group A and 6.67% in Group B, but the difference was not statistically significant

Table 6: Distribution of the subjects by toxicity (Stomatitis).

4. Discussion

Carcinoma of the pyriform fossa is one of the most aggressive tumour of the head & neck region. This tumour is frequently advanced at the time of diagnosis. They have a particularly high propensity for lymphatic spread. Though many treatment options are present but concurrent chemo-radiotherapy is the best among all of the treatment options [10, 11]. Total 90 patients with advanced squamous cell carcinoma of pyriform fossa were selected randomly according to the selection criteria and treated by organ preserving technique. Patients were followed up for the first time after 4 weeks of the completion of treatment.

In this study the mean age of the patients were 57.2 ± 7.8 years ranging from 40 to 70 years. The mean age of the Group A was 57.3 ± 8.4 years and Group B was 57.0 ± 7.3 years. Highest percentage of the patients were habituated with smoking (70%), betel nut chewing (91.11%), tobacco leaf (90%). All the patients had complaints of dysphagia (100%) followed by painful swallowing (95%), vomiting (88.88%). On examination, majority of the patients had palpable lymph node. Analysis revealed that the severity of pain significantly decrease from initial treatment to final follow up. The mean frequency of vomiting was a little bit increase after 2nd week of treatment and it decrease in subsequent follow up in both groups of patients. Described that pyriform fossa tumors have a rich lymphatic drainage, 55% of patients present with neck nodes of which 16% are bilateral Bomford CK, et al. All the patients described that sore throat is the common presenting symptom of pyriform fossa cancer. The patients in the present study have similar clinical presentation [12, 13].

The mean size of lymph nodes was significantly decreased from pre-treatment status to final follow up in both group of patients. It was found that in both group of patients weight was significantly decreases from pre-treatment status to final follow up. In this study in Group- A, partial response and no response were 36 (80.00%) and 03 (06.67%) respectively. In Group-B, partial response and no response were 22 (48.89%) and 9 (20.00%) respectively. The result of the present study is similar to the others study done by number of investigators. It is now established that concurrent chemo- radiation is more effective than radio-therapy alone in locally advanced pyriform fossa cancer. After completion of the treatment, all the patients attended for follow up care. Follow up period was one and a half months to eighteen months and median six months. All patients were evaluated clinically and with haematological and biochemical investigations. The mean size of lymph nodes was significantly decrease from pre-treatment status to final follow up in both group of patients. Analysis revealed that the size of the lymph nodes significantly decrease among the Group A patients compared to Group B patients.

5. Conclusion

In the treatment of locally advanced carcinoma pyriform fossa, concurrent chemo-radiation with low dose paclitaxel (40 mg/m2 I/V) weekly, showed better symptoms improvement and better tumor responses with manageable toxities than radiotherapy alone. However, further studies are recommended in larger number of patients.

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