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

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.