Table 4 Incidence of adverse events during initial RT/re-RT of patients with locoregional recurrence of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (LR-HNSCC). Only for selected adverse events, grading according to CTCAE was documented. iRT = initial RT; RT = radiotherapy, CTCAE = Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events

Common adverse events documented within CTCAE

Mucositis

Any grade

38 (60.3)

20 (52.6)

CTCAE I-II

29 (46.0)

16 (42.1)

CTCAE ≥ III

9 (14.3)

4 (10.5)

Dermatitis

Any grade

43 (68.3)

20 (52.6)

CTCAE I-II

36 (57.1)

19 (50.0)

CTCAE ≥ III

7 (11.1)

1 (2.6)

Dysphagia

Any grade

42 (66.7)

25 (65.8)

CTCAE I-II

28 (44.4)

15 (39.5)

CTCAE ≥ III

14 (22.2)

10 (26.3)

Xerostomia

Any grade

28 (44.4)

15 (39.5)

CTCAE I-II

25 (39.7)

11 (28.9)

CTCAE ≥ III

3 (4.8)

4 (10.5)

Lymph oedema

Any grade

22 (34.9)

6 (15.8)

CTCAE I-II

18 (28.6)

6 (15.8)

CTCAE ≥ III

4 (6.3)

0 (0.0)

Obstipation

Any grade

6 (9.5)

3 (7.9)

CTCAE I-II

3 (4.8)

1 (2.6)

CTCAE ≥ III

3 (4.8)

2 (5.3)

Bleeding

Any grade

5 (7.9)

2 (5.3)

CTCAE I-II

3 (4.8)

1 (2.6)

CTCAE ≥ III

2 (3.2)

1 (2.6)

Other severe adverse events CTCAE ≥ III

Grade V

Cardiac arrest due to syncope’s of unknown origin

1 (1.6)

0

Pneumonia

0 (0.0)

0

Grade III

Myocardial Infarction

1 (1.6)

0

Stroke

0 (0.0)

1

Epileptic seizure

0 (0.0)

1

Other non-severe adverse events not documented within CTCAE

CTCAE grade unknown

Skin fibrosis

Taste impairment

9 (14.3)

9 (23.7)

Hearing impairment

9 (14.3)

11 (28.9)

Nerval damage

4 (6.3)

2 (5.3)

Dental damage

5 (7.9)

2 (5.3)

Fatigue

4 (6.3)

3 (7.9)

Conjunctivitis

8 (12.7)

4 (10.5)

Would healing impairment

1 (1.6)

0 (0.0)

Acute kidney dysfunction

0 (0.0)

1 (2.6)

Thrombosis

2 (3.2)

1 (2.6)

Catheter-associated

1 (1.6)

0 (0.0)

Infection

1 (1.6)

0 (0.0)

Tracheitis

1 (1.6)

0 (0.0)

Herpesvirus infection

1 (1.6)

0 (0.0)