Intensity-modulated radiotherapy for locally advanced cancers of the larynx and hypopharynx

Background Limited data evaluate intensity‐modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) for cancers of the hypopharynx and larynx. We report clinical outcomes and failure patterns for these patients. Methods Between September 2001 and December 2007, 42 patients with squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) of the hypopharynx (n = 23) and larynx (n = 19) underwent IMRT, 11 postoperatively and 31 definitively. Thirty‐six received systemic therapy. Median follow‐up was 30 months among surviving patients. Results Three local failures occurred within the high‐dose region and 3 occurred in regional nodes. Seven patients developed distant metastasis as the initial failure. Three‐year actuarial estimates of locoregional control, freedom from distant metastasis, and overall survival rates were, respectively, 80%, 72%, and 46%. Conclusions IMRT provides good locoregional control for SCC of the hypopharynx and larynx compared with historical controls. Locoregional relapses occurred in the high‐dose volumes, suggesting adequate target volume delineation. Hypopharyngeal tumors, which fare worse than laryngeal tumors, warrant investigation of more aggressive treatment. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Head Neck, 2011