Adherence to pretreatment and intratreatment imaging of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma patients undergoing (chemo) radiotherapy in a research setting

PurposeThe emerge of improved personalized treatment adaptations and outcome prediction is accompanied with increasing non-invasive assessments in early phase, leading to increased patient burden. This study assessed the adherence patients head neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) undergo pretreatment research-related intratreatment imaging, which factors caused drop-out.MethodBetween 2013 2019, advanced-staged HNSCC were prospectively included, underwent (chemo) radiotherapy curative intent planned for both pre-treatment sequential 18F-FDG-PET/CT, 18F-FDG-PET/MRI thereafter MRI (including DWI/DCE). Drop-out-factors described as healthcare-related (logistics imaging-system defects) patient-related (psychological, physical, not-specified). Common Toxicity Criteria (CTC) routinely scored by radiation/medical oncologists throughout first 3 weeks, compared between drop-outs who complete imaging.ResultsNinety-seven (mean age 61 ± 6.8 years) included; 95 (97.9%) imaging 63 (64.9%) imaging. For 2, 10 34, 39 35 patients, respectively. Patient-related drop-out-factors physical (n = 16, e.g. dysphagia), psychological 6, claustrophobia) non-specified 12). Healthcare-related logistics 6) 18F-FDG-PET/CT-/MRI-system defects 2). The CTC mucosal toxicity was significantly higher (p 0.023) at week 2 (chemo)radiotherapy than imaging.ConclusionsThe drop-out frequency during a research-setting high mainly patient-related. Treatment inconveniences, communication rationale protocol efficiency improvements may contribute adherence.