Browsing by Author "Lombe, Dorothy Chilambe"

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    Treatment of advanced salivary gland tumours with neutron radiotherapy
    (Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University, 2016-12) Lombe, Dorothy Chilambe; Simonds, Hannah; Akudugu, John M.; Stellenbosch University. Faculty of Medicine and Health Science. Dept. of Medical Imaging and Clinical Oncology. Radiation Oncology.
    ENGLISH SUMMARY : Background: Success rates in the treatment of salivary gland malignancies are associated with completeness of surgical resection with or without postoperative radiotherapy. For patients with unresectable tumours, radiotherapy is an option to attempt to gain local control and improve survival. Different modalities of radiotherapy are available and fast neutrons represent a form of radiotherapy effective in controlling locally advanced salivary gland malignancies. We report on 22 patients treated for locally advanced parotid gland malignancies at iThemba Laboratory for Accelerator Based Sciences via a tertiary institution in Cape Town, South Africa. Methods: Records of patients with unresectable parotid gland malignancies treated with neutron radiotherapy at a tertiary institution between January 1991 and December 2012 were reviewed retrospectively. Twenty-two patients were eligible for statistical analysis. Results: Complete, partial and no response rates were 64%, 14% and 22%, respectively. Of the 14 patients with a complete response, 3 recurred with the earliest recurrence being at 18 months. Locoregional control was 80% and 69% at 2 and 5 years respectively. Twelve out of the 22 patients died post treatment. Overall survival at 2 years was 40% and at 5 years 35%. Seven cases of CTCAE grade 3 and above late toxicities were observed. These included bone necrosis, eardrum perforation and skin ulceration. Conclusions: Treatment modality of this group of patients depends on availability. Response rates of parotid gland malignancy to neutron radiotherapy in this small cohort are comparable to historical controls.