BACKGROUND: Fanconi anemia (FA) is a rare autosomal recessive genetic disorder characterized by bone marrow failure and increased risk of cancers including acute myelogenous leukemia and various solid tumors, especially head and neck cancer. Management of head and neck cancer in the setting of FA is complicated by pancytopenia, poor tolerance of chemotherapy, and potentially increased radiosensitivity. There are limited reports on tolerance of radiotherapy (RT) in patients with FA. METHODS: We report a case of a patient with FA who presented with a small oral tongue cancer that was excised. He rapidly developed extensive locoregional recurrence and underwent surgical resection followed by postoperative RT with concurrent cetuximab. RESULTS: Both RT and cetuximab were well tolerated with manageable toxicities. Unfortunately, the patient died of early locoregional disease progression. CONCLUSIONS: RT with concurrent cetuximab was well tolerated and may be an appropriate option in patients with FA. However, many patients have a poor prognosis due to aggressive disease.
BACKGROUND:Fanconi anemia (FA) is a rare autosomal recessive genetic disorder characterized by bone marrow failure and increased risk of cancers including acute myelogenous leukemia and various solid tumors, especially head and neck cancer. Management of head and neck cancer in the setting of FA is complicated by pancytopenia, poor tolerance of chemotherapy, and potentially increased radiosensitivity. There are limited reports on tolerance of radiotherapy (RT) in patients with FA. METHODS: We report a case of a patient with FA who presented with a small oral tongue cancer that was excised. He rapidly developed extensive locoregional recurrence and underwent surgical resection followed by postoperative RT with concurrent cetuximab. RESULTS: Both RT and cetuximab were well tolerated with manageable toxicities. Unfortunately, the patient died of early locoregional disease progression. CONCLUSIONS: RT with concurrent cetuximab was well tolerated and may be an appropriate option in patients with FA. However, many patients have a poor prognosis due to aggressive disease.
Authors: Thomas H Beckham; Jonathan Leeman; Chiaojung Jillian Tsai; Nadeem Riaz; Eric Sherman; Bhuvanesh Singh; Nancy Lee; Sean McBride; Daniel S Higginson Journal: Head Neck Date: 2019-01-11 Impact factor: 3.147
Authors: L Murillo-Sanjuán; J Balmaña; A de Pablo García-Cuenca; J Lorente Guerrero; M L Uria Oficialdegui; E Carrasco; C Diaz-de-Heredia Journal: Clin Transl Oncol Date: 2021-08-21 Impact factor: 3.405
Authors: Xichen Zhang; Wen Hou; Michael W Epperly; Lora Rigatti; Hong Wang; Darcy Franicola; Aranee Sivanathan; Joel S Greenberger Journal: Oncotarget Date: 2016-10-18
Authors: Rex H Lee; Hyunseok Kang; Sue S Yom; Agata Smogorzewska; Daniel E Johnson; Jennifer R Grandis Journal: Clin Cancer Res Date: 2021-10-01 Impact factor: 12.531