Patient reported outcomes in patients with head and neck cancer treated with concurrent chemoradiation with weekly versus bolus cisplatin

Background Patient Reported Outcome (PRO) data comparing bolus (B-CP) with weekly (W-CP) cisplatin concurrent with radiation are lacking. Methods We performed a retrospective study comparing PRO among 99 patients with head and neck radiation, 26% who received concurrent B-CP and 73% treated with W-CP. Results W-CP patients had a higher Charlson comorbidity index (CCI) (P= .004). There were no differences in median cisplatin dose, PROs, percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG) dependence or hospitalization between arms. Patients with a greater decline in their self-reported dysphagia score were more often PEG dependent at the end of radiation therapy (P= .03). There was also a trend toward PEG dependence with a higher maximum dysphagia score and greater change in aspiration score (P= .06). The maximum decline in white cell count and absolute neutrophil count were greater in the W-CP group (P= .04,P= .01). Conclusion Both B-CP and W-CP are well tolerated. PROs do not suggest a benefit to W-CP.