The risk of carotid stenosis in head and neck cancer patients after radiation therapy.

ABSTRACT: OBJECTIVES:Head and neck radiotherapy (RT) is a risk factor for cerebrovascular disease. We performed a retrospective cohort study to evaluate carotid artery stenosis (CAS) incidence in head and neck cancer (HNC) patients undergoing RT, characterizing associated risk factors. MATERIALS AND METHODS:Records were retrospectively reviewed for HNC patients undergoing carotid ultrasound screening after definitive or adjuvant RT between January 2000 and May 2016. CAS was defined as ?50% stenosis on imaging, stroke, or transient ischemic attack. Actuarial CAS rates were calculated by Kaplan-Meier method. Univariate and multivariate analyses predicted CAS risk based on carotid dosimetric and clinical parameters. RESULTS:366 patients met inclusion criteria. Median time from RT completion to last follow-up was 4.1?yr. Actuarial risk for CAS was 29% (95% CI 22-36%) at 8?years. Univariate analysis showed that smoking (HR 1.7; 95% CI 1.1-2.7), hyperlipidemia (HR 1.6; 95% CI 1.03-2.6), diabetes (HR 2.8; 95% CI 1.6-4.8), coronary artery disease (HR 2.4; 95% CI 1.4-4.2), and peripheral artery disease (HR 3.6; 95% CI 1.1-11.6) were significantly associated with increased CAS. In multivariate analysis, diabetes was predictive of time to CAS (HR 1.9; 95% CI 1.1-3.4). Carotid dose parameters were not significantly associated with CAS. CONCLUSIONS:CAS incidence is high after head and neck radiotherapy, gradually rising over time. No clear dose-response effect between carotid dose and CAS was identified for HNC patients. Carotid artery screening and preventative strategies should be employed in this high-risk patient population.

SUBMITTER: Carpenter DJ 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6827433 | biostudies-literature | 2018 May

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature