Table 2 Patient and treatment characteristics
Variable | IMRT neck (n = 26) | Proton neck (n = 14) | P | Comparison |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Median age (range) | 54.1 (22–77) | 46.7 (16–71) | 0.98 |  |
Gender | Â | Â | Â | Â |
 Male | 14 (53.8 %) | 11 (78.6 %) | 0.18 |  |
 Female | 12 (46.2 %) | 3 (21.4 %) |  |  |
Primary tumor site | Â | Â | Â | Â |
 Nasopharynx | 15 (57.7 %) | 2 (14.3 %) | 0.02 |  |
 Nasal/Paranasal | 11 (42.3 %) | 12 (85.7 %) |  |  |
Tumor Histology | Â | Â | Â | Â |
 SCC | 13 (50.0 %) | 3 (21.4 %) | 0.19 | SCC vs non-SCC |
 Poorly differentiated carcinoma | 5 (19.2 %) | 0 |  |  |
 Sinonasal undifferentiated | 4 (15.4 %) | 5 (35.7 %) |  |  |
 Esthesioneuroblastoma | 1 (3.8 %) | 5 (35.7 %) |  |  |
 Neuroendocrine carcinoma | 1 (3.8 %) | 0 |  |  |
 Lymphoepithelioma | 1 (3.8 %) | 1 (7.1 %) |  |  |
 High grade mucoepidermoid carcinoma | 1 (3.8 %) | 0 |  |  |
KPS before radiation | Â | Â | Â | Â |
 90–100 | 13 (50 %) | 9 (64.3 %) | 0.51 | ≥90 vs <90 |
 80 | 9 (34.6 %) | 3 (21.4 %) |  |  |
 70 | 4 (15.4 %) | 2 (14.3 %) |  |  |
T stage | Â | Â | Â | Â |
 T4 | 13 (50 %) | 11 (78.6 %) | 0.10 | T4 vs < T4 |
 T3 | 8 (30.8 %) | 2 (14.3 %) |  |  |
 T2 | 4 (15.4 %) | 1 (7.1 %) |  |  |
 T1 | 1 (3.8 %) | 0 |  |  |
N Stage | Â | Â | Â | Â |
 N0 | 10 (38.5 %) | 10 (71.4 %) | 0.09 | N0 vs N+ |
 N1 | 5 (19.2 %) | 1 (7.1 %) |  |  |
 N2 | 11 (42.3 %) | 3 (21.4 %) |  |  |
Neck dissection | Â | Â | Â | Â |
 Upfront | 0 | 1 (7.1 %) | 0.54 | none vs other |
 None | 25 (96.2 %) | 12 (85.7 %) |  |  |
 Adjuvant/Salvage | 1 (3.8 %) | 1 (7.1 %) |  |  |
Chemotherapy sequencing | Â | Â | Â | Â |
 None | 3 (11.5 %) | 2 (14.3 %) | 0.10 | concurrent vs other |
 Induction | 0 | 3 (21.4 %) |  |  |
 Concurrent | 23 (88.5 %) | 7 (50.0 %) |  |  |
 Concurrent and adjuvant | 0 | 2 (14.2 %) |  |  |
Chemotherapy Type | Â | Â | Â | Â |
 Cisplatin | 15 (57.7 %) | 6 (42.9 %) | 0.14 | cisplatin vs non-cisplatin |
 Cisplatin and etoposide | 1 (3.8 %) | 5 (35.7 %) |  |  |
 Cisplatin, docetaxel, fluorouracil | 2 (7.7 %) | 1 (7.1 %) |  |  |
 Carboplatin | 2 (7.7 %) | 0 |  |  |
 Carboplatin + taxol | 1 (3.8 %) | 0 |  |  |
 Cetuximab | 2 (7.7 %) | 0 |  |  |
Smoking history | Â | Â | Â | Â |
 Never | 11 (42.3 %) | 10 (71.4 %) | 0.18 | never vs any history |
  < 10 pack years | 1 (3.8 %) | 0 |  |  |
  > 10 pack years | 14 (53.8 %) | 4 (28.6 %) |  |  |
Active smoking at time of radiation | 6 (23.1Â %) | 2 (14.3Â %) | 0.69 | Â |
Diabetes Mellitus | 4 (15.4Â %) | 0 | 0.28 | Â |
Gastrostomy tube placement | 22 (84.6Â %) | 2 (14.3Â %) | <0.001 | Â |
Median primary tumor dose | 71.8Â Gy | 71.4Â Gy (RBE) | 0.86 | Â |
Range primary dose | 66–76.4 Gy | 63–75.6 Gy (RBE) |  |  |
Median neck dose, node negative | 52.3Â Gy | 50.2Â Gy (RBE) | 0.58 | Â |
Range neck dose, node negative | 40.0–59.4 Gy | 45.0–58.0 Gy (RBE) |  |  |
Median neck dose, node positive | 68.3Â Gy | 72.9Â Gy (RBE) | 0.06 | Â |
Range neck dose, node positive | 59.4–70.29 Gy | 70.0–75.6 Gy (RBE) |  |  |