CANCER OF THE PYRIFORM FOSSA - HYPERFRACTIONATED RADIOTHERAPY AS A PRIMARY-TREATMENT MODALITY

Carcinoma of the pyriform fossa carries one of the worst prognoses of all head and neck cancers. A prospective trial was set up to study the efficacy of hyperfractionated radiotherapy as a primary treatment mod ality in the management of these patients. Seventeen patients entered the trial and were followed for up to 3 years. Results for local contr ol, regional control and survival compare favourably with patients tre ated primarily with surgery with or without radiotherapy. Hyperfractio nated radiotherapy offers a logical and standardized approach to the m anagement of this tumour and reduces the significant morbidity associa ted with the use of surgery as a primary treatment.