THE EORTC RANDOMIZED TRIAL ON 3 FRACTIONS PER DAY AND MISONIDAZOLE INADVANCED HEAD AND NECK-CANCER - PROGNOSTIC FACTORS

In trial no. 22811 on a randomized comparison of multiple fractions pe r day (MFD), with or without misonidazole, to conventional fractionati on in advanced head and neck cancer, a large number (523) of patients was entered in a short period of time. No differences in treatment res ults were obtained, but the study created an important database, allow ing for detailed evaluation of the most important factors influencing prognosis. In univariate analysis, factors significantly influencing s urvival and locoregional control were: performance status, histologica l differentiation, tumor site, tumor and nodal staging, and tumoral an d nodal volume, In multivariate analysis, significant factors for surv ival were nodal involvement, tumor stage, performance status, and tumo r site. Significant factors for locoregional control were nodal involv ement and total tumor burden, This analysis suggests that total tumor burden (volume) should be included in the interpretation of treatment results in head and neck cancer.