Radiotherapy for Benign Head and Neck Paragangliomas

Purpose: To update our experience with treating patients with benign head and neck paragangliomas (PG) with radiotherapy (RT).

Methods: From May 1968 to September 2016, a total of 149 patients with 176 benign PGs were treated with fractionated RT with curative intent. One hundred twenty-six patients received RT to 1 PG and 23 patients had 2 or more PGs irradiated. The most commonly used dose fractionation schedule was 45 Gy in 25 once-daily fractions over 5 weeks. Patients were followed annually with physical examination and either computed tomography (CT) or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Median follow-up was 11.4 years (range, 0.2–50.4 years). Median follow-up for survivors was 12.1 years (range, 0.2–50.4 years).

Results: The 5-, 10-, and 15-year outcomes were local control (99, 96, and 95%); distant metastasis-free survival (99, 99, and 99%); cause-specific survival (98, 98, and 98%); and overall survival (90, 75, and 64%), respectively. No patient developed a moderate or severe complication.

Conclusion: RT is an effective treatment for head and neck PGs with a very low risk of complications.