Joana Duquette, Presenter: Nothing to Disclose

Michelle Wallace, Abstract Co-Author: Grant, Hologic, Inc

Rares Ghilezan, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Alvaro Martinez MD, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Christine Mitchell, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Peter Y Chen MD, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Gary S. Gustafson MD, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Rachael Gjeltema, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

et al, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

To assess and compare total weight loss and percent weight loss for two treatment modalities, Intensity Modulated Radiotherapy (IMRT) vs. 3D Conformal Radiotherapy, utilized for the treatment of oropharyngeal cancer.

Comparisons were made between two treatment modalities, IMRT vs. 3D Conformal Radiotherapy. From June 1995 to October 2007, 91 patients who received curative radiation therapy for oropharyngeal lesions were identified for this evaluation. Assessments were made of overall treatment time in days, gender, total actual weight loss and total percent weight loss, whether the patient had a PEG tube and timing of PEG tube placement, if the patient had a nutrition consult and if the patient received concurrent chemotherapy.

Of the 91 patients identified, 60 received IMRT and 31 received 3D Conformal. Seventy-two patients (80%) were males and 18 patients (20%) females. Of those patients receiving IMRT, 78% were males and 22% females. Similarly, of the 3D Conformal treated patients, 83% were males and 17% females. Patient age ranged from 41-84 with a mean age of 61. Treatment length took place over 14 - 69 days with a mean length of treatment time for IMRT of 50 days and 52 days for 3D Conformal treatment. The mean total actual weight loss (kg) for the identified patients was 8.2 kg with a range of 0.6-20.4kg and mean total percent weight loss is 9.4% with a range of 0.1-19.7%. IMRT patients lost a mean total actual weight of 7.7 kg and total percent weight mean of 8.9%. 3D Conformal patients lost a total actual weight of 9.2 kg and a total percent weight of 10.4%. In this evaluation, 67 patients were identified as having a PEG tube for calorie intake, 80% of those receiving IMRT and 63% of those treated with 3D Conformal. Of the IMRT patients, 65% had a PEG tube placed pretreatment and in 11% of the patients during the course of the treatment. Of the 3D Conformal treatment patients, 39% had the PEG tube placed pretreatment and 19% patients had the PEG tube placed during treatment. Overall, 73% (n=67) received concurrent chemotherapy, 83% of the IMRT patients and 55% of the patients receiving 3D Conformal treatment (p=0.003). A subset analysis showed that males lost more weight than females. Males lost a mean total actual weight of 9.1 kg and mean total percent weight loss of 9.9%. Women lost a mean total actual weight of 4.5 kg and mean total percent weight loss of 7.1%.

Of the two treatment modalities, IMRT patients lost less total actual weight than 3D Conformal Radiotherapy patients, despite having a higher percentage of patients receiving concurrent chemotherapy. There was a trend with both modalities for less weight loss for those patients for which the PEG tube was placed pretreatment.

Duquette, J, Wallace, M, Ghilezan, R, Martinez, A, Mitchell, C, Chen, P, Gustafson, G, Gjeltema, R, et al, , Weight Loss Comparison in Intensity Modulated Radiation Therapy versus 3D Conformal Radiation Therapy for Patient with Oropharyngeal Cancer.  Radiological Society of North America 2008 Scientific Assembly and Annual Meeting, February 18 - February 20, 2008 ,Chicago IL. http://archive.rsna.org/2008/7001775.html