Clinical Trial: Investigation of Contralateral Arytenoid Sparing IMRT for T1a & T2a Larynx Cancer & Analysis of Post-treatment Laryngeal Function

Study Status: Recruiting
Recruit Status: Recruiting
Study Type: Interventional

Official Title: A Phase II Investigation of Contralateral Arytenoid Sparing IMRT for T1a and T2a Larynx Cancer With Detailed Analysis of Post-treatment Laryngeal Function

Brief Summary: The aim of this study is to define a new treatment technique for T1a larynx cancer that maintains excellent local control with less extensive radiation fields. It is thought that this will lead to patients having fewer changes to their voice and a higher quality of life after treatment when compared to the current standard treatment.

Detailed Summary:

Parallel opposed portal external beam radiation is the standard nonsurgical treatment for T1-2N0 glottic cancer. This technique involves treatment of the entire larynx for tumors that are small and limited. Although technological advances now allow radiation oncologists selectively to target and avoid adjacent sub-portions of any organ, these tools have not been applied T1-2N0 glottic cancer due to the perceived low toxicity of standard therapy. However, radiotherapy for early glottic cancer is not without functional side effects and it is not known whether post-treatment function after whole larynx radiation is superior to a more targeted surgical approach.

This is a phase II study to treat unilateral glottic cancer (Stage T1a and T2aN0) with intensity modulated radiation therapy (IMRT). In view of the anticipated small volume of disease at presentation and need to limit the potential for a "marginal miss", treatment will include the entire involved vocal fold, anterior commissure, and the anterior 1/3 of the contralateral vocal fold thus sparing the contralateral arytenoid cartilage and musculature ("contralateral arytenoid sparing IMRT"). In addition, we propose to perform sophisticated objective and patient reported measures regarding speech outcomes for two years after the completion of therapy at specified intervals, to better gain an understanding of the effects of therapy. Our findings will have the potential to dramatically advance the field of early larynx cancer therapy by demonstrating the efficacy of limiting the volume of uninvolved larynx that receives radiation and comprehensively assessing the functional outcomes of said therapy.


Sponsor: Fox Chase Cancer Center

Current Primary Outcome: Voice Quality (voice handicap index) [ Time Frame: 24 Months ]

Demonstrate a 50% improvement in the VHI (voice handicap index) score at 24 months after the completion of therapy IMRT for T1a/T2a larynx cancer


Original Primary Outcome: Same as current

Current Secondary Outcome:

  • Patient-reported Swallowing Satisfaction [ Time Frame: 24 Months ]
    Evaluate patient-reported satisfaction with swallowing at up to 24 months after the completion of radiation using the Eating Assessment Tool (EAT-10) questionnaire.
  • Clinician Evaluation of Swallowing Function [ Time Frame: 24 Months ]
    Evaluate clinician-reported measure of swallowing 24 months after the completion of radiation as measured by fiberoptic endoscopic evaluation of swallowing (FEES) using the penetration, aspiration scale (PAS) scores for 3 commonly evaluated textures (cookie, puree, thin).


Original Secondary Outcome: Same as current

Information By: Fox Chase Cancer Center

Dates:
Date Received: December 10, 2015
Date Started: November 2015
Date Completion: November 2019
Last Updated: January 25, 2017
Last Verified: January 2017