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
In brief
Arterial cisplatin chemoradiotherapy produced complete responses in 31 of 34 patients
In this retrospective study of advanced maxillary gum cancer, 91% of patients had a complete response, and 3-year local progression-free survival was 94%. Severe mouth sores were common, affecting 59%, and the 34-patient study had no comparison group, so it cannot establish how this approach compares with other treatments.
- Journal
- International journal of oral and maxillofacial surgery (Q1)
- Published
- 13 April 2026
- Study design
- Cohort / observational study
- Evidence level
- Level 4, Very Low (CEBM 4)
- Authors
- M Yamazaki, T Masubuchi, C Fushimi, T Kaneko, Y Tada, C Kanno
- PMID
- 42773611
- DOI
- 10.1016/j.ijom.2026.02.026
Why clinicians should know about it
- Picked for Radiation Oncology (paper of the day, 25 September 2026): STA intra-arterial CRT for maxillary gingiva
Abstract
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.
Abstract as published, via PubMed.
For healthcare professionals. The summary is generated by AI from the published abstract, and the evidence level is assigned automatically from the study design on the Oxford CEBM hierarchy. Neither is medical advice. Read the full paper before changing practice.