Treatment-related toxicities in patients with squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck (SCCHN)

e17041 Background: Although treatment effects and toxicities have been reported from randomized clinical trials of patients with squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck (SCCHN), little information is available from real-world clinical practice where heterogeneous treatment patterns and patient populations may lead to different estimates than those observed in clinical trials. Methods: Using a population-based tumor registry at a large, Midwestern integrated health system, we identified all cases of stage III or IV SCCHN diagnosed 2000–2006. The incidence/severity of acute and late toxicities associated with SCCHN treatment was obtained from detailed medical record review of health system encounters, including physician notes. Grading of toxicities (using CTCAE3 criteria), distinction between acute and late toxicity, and analyses by treatment are ongoing. The incidence and severity of toxicities will be presented by treatment regimen, tumor location and tumor stage. We presented here an interim analysis. Results: Among the target population of 194 patients that will ultimately be included in this study, 137 medical record reviews have been completed to date. The percentages of patients with toxicities, including 95% confidence intervals are presented in the table , below. Conclusions: Toxicity in patients with advanced SCCHN is common. Data from clinical practice quantifying the incidence are lacking, these data from an observational real-world study provide important baseline information on the incidence of toxicities in patients with advanced SCCHN and also call for safer effective treatment for SCCHN. [Table: see text] [Table: see text]