A novel approach of IORT: Efficacy and Safety of Intraoperative Radiation Therapy for Locally Advanced Laryngocarcinoma

Background: Intraoperative radiation therapy (IORT), as a short- range irradiation mode, has been increasingly used in surgery in head and neck cancer. IORT can achieve and improve local control by directly irradiating the tumor bed after surgery. However, there are few clinical reports on the efficacy and safety of IORT in the treatment of locally advanced laryngocarcinoma (LAL). Methods: This is a prospective clinical study in which a total of 63 LAL patients were selected and received IORT (DT 8-15 Gy) during radical surgery. In order to record postoperative complications and adverse reactions after radiotherapy, a regular follow-up was conducted after completion of IORT. The local control (LC) and 2-year survival rate were analyzed. Results: In the 63 patients in this study, 2-year LC rate was 93.1 % and 1-year LC rate was 98.2 %. After surgery combined with IORT, serious postoperative complications occurred, including pharyngeal fistula in 1 patient (1. 6 %) and wound infection in 3 patients (4.8%). Conclusion: IORT can improve the LC rate in LAL patients, and is a safe and effective treatment method. Trial registration: Clinicaltrials.gov, NCT04278638. Registered 18 February 2020 - prospectively registered, https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT04278638.