THE EFFICACY AND SAFETY OF FIVE VERSUS SIX FRACTIONATIONS PER WEEK OF EXTERNAL BEAM RADIOTHERAPY IN THE MANAGEMENT OF HEAD AND NECK MALIGNANCIES.

A non-randomized, prospective ,single centre study consisting of 50 patients (25 each in the study arm and control arm) suffering from squamous cell carcinoma of head and neck (stage II-IV) were taken up to study the efficacy and safety of six fractions per week against five fractions per week of conventional external beam radiation therapy. Both the arms received a total tumour dose of 66-70 Gy in 33-35 exposures by shrinking field technique by using telecobalt 60. The early treatment results were analysed as per WHO Miler’s criteria. The study arm showed 80% complete clinical response of the primary site as compared to 52% in the control arm. Partial response of the primary was noted in 20% and 28% in the study arm and control arm respectively. Complete nodal response was seen clinically in 64% in the study arm as compared to 52% in the control am. Partial response was seen in 28% and 32% in the study arm and control arm respectively. The disease free survival and survival with disease were comparable in both the arms.