The role of hemoglobin concentration in the outcome of misonidazole-sensitized radiotherapy of head and neck cancers: based on RTOG trial #79-15.

Recent data from the DAHANCA (Danish Head and Neck Cancer) 2 study implies a positive effect of high hemoglobin concentration in concert with misonidazole for the treatment of head and neck cancers by radiotherapy. We have therefore reviewed and updated our analysis of RTOG protocol 79-15, which included the effect of misonidazole plus radiotherapy in a presumably similar population. Despite additional follow-up and more sophisticated analysis, our analysis does not demonstrate an influence of hemoglobin concentration on any of the outcome measures we examined. Possible explanations for the difference in findings of RTOG 79-15 and DAHANCA 2 are discussed. Radiation therapy of head and neck squamous cancers, Hypoxia and hemoglobin conc. in head and neck cancers, Oral cavity cancer, Effect of radiation therapy, Oropharynx cancer, Hemoglobin and radiotherapy, Hemoglobin concentration, Effect upon radiotherapy, Irradiation of oropharynx cancer, Hgb effect.