Efficacy of intra-arterial chemoradiotherapy via the superficial temporal artery for squamous cell carcinoma of the maxillary gingiva: a retrospective study of 34 patients with T3/4 disease.

The aim of this retrospective study was to evaluate the efficacy of intra-arterial chemoradiotherapy (CRT) with cisplatin infusion via the superficial temporal artery (STA) for squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) of the maxillary gingiva. Thirty-four patients with T3 and T4 maxillary gingiva SCC who received CRT between 2010 and 2021 were enrolled in this study. Cisplatin 30 mg/m2 or 40 mg/m2 was administered weekly via a retrograde catheter inserted into the STA. Radiotherapy was performed at 60 Gy/30 fractions (2010-2012) or 70 Gy/35 fractions (2013-2021). Sodium thiosulfate was administered intravenously to neutralize cisplatin and prevent toxicity. Regarding the T and N classifications of the 34 patients, five were T3, 22 were T4a, seven were T4b; 24 were N0, two were N1, two were N2b, three were N2c, and three were N3b. A complete response was observed in 91.2% (31/34) of patients and a partial response in 8.8% (3/34). The 3-year overall, progression-free, and local progression-free survival rates were 77.1%, 61.6%, and 93.9%, respectively. Grade 3 oral mucositis, grade 3 irradiation dermatitis, grade 3/4 neutropenia, and grade 3 anaemia were observed in 58.8%, 20.6%, 11.8%, and 5.9% of patients, respectively. CRT via the STA achieved a favourable response, high survival rates, and low toxicity in patients with maxillary gingiva SCC.