Evaluation of combined modality treatment for advanced nasopharyngeal carcinoma by induction chemotherapy and radiotherapy

Abstract

15544 Background: We performed a retrospective investigation of the combined induction chemotherapy and radiotherapy for advanced nasopharyngeal carcinomas at Cancer Center-Ho Chi Minh City-Vietnam. Method: In the period 1998–2000, the treatment regimen induced 2 or 3 cycles of cisplatin and 5-Fluorouracile followed by radiation. Cisplatin was given in the dose of 100 mg/m2/day 1 and 5FU 1,000 mg/m2/d1–4. Radiotherapy included 2 lateral cervical portals and an anterior cervical portal with Cobalt 60. Results: One hundred sixteen patients (92 men and 24 women) with age ranging from 15 to 72 years were enrolled. The overall response rate to induction chemotherapy was 66% (15% complete responses (CRs) and 51% partial responses (PRs)). After combined treatment, overall response rates was 92% (82% CRs, 10% PRs). Toxicities in the chemotherapy were mainly myelosuppression (40%), nausea/vomiting (27%), mucositis (28%), and diarrhea (12%). There was 9 recurrences (2 local, 7 distant), 7 deaths and 1 refusal of radiotherapy. Conclusion: The immediate local response rates was rather high despite of the common of major myelotoxicities and expensive cost. The long-term survival benefit need to be reevaluated carefully later. No significant financial relationships to disclose.