Premium
Simultaneous radiochemotherapy in the treatment of inoperable, locally advanced head and neck cancers. A single‐institution study
Author(s) -
Franchin Giovanni,
Gobitti Carlo,
Minatel Emilio,
de Paoli Antonino,
Boz Gianni,
Mascarin Maurizio,
Lamon Stefano,
Trovò Mauro G.,
Barzan Luigi
Publication year - 1995
Publication title -
cancer
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 3.052
H-Index - 304
eISSN - 1097-0142
pISSN - 0008-543X
DOI - 10.1002/1097-0142(19950215)75:4<1025::aid-cncr2820750419>3.0.co;2-2
Subject(s) - medicine , mucositis , concomitant , radiation therapy , surgery , regimen , fluorouracil , head and neck cancer , chemoradiotherapy , chemotherapy , survival rate , cisplatin
Background . Patients with advanced, inoperable head and neck cancers have cure rates of approximately 10‐15%. In these patients, concomitant chemoradiotherapy seems to improve local control and survival. 5‐Fluorouracil (5‐FU) administered by continuous infusion and cisplatin plus concomitant conventional radiation therapy may be promising in treating advanced, inoperable head and neck cancers. Methods . Forty‐five evaluable patients with primary nonmetastatic, inoperable head and neck cancers were treated. From January 1987 to April 1988, the patients were treated with cisplatin plus radiation therapy (Group 1) and from May 1988 to November 1990, they were treated with the same combination plus 5‐FU, given in continuous infusion (Group 2). Clinical and pathologic responses were assessed after radiation therapy was completed. Patients who relapsed underwent salvage surgery, if possible. The disease free and overall survival rates of the patients were evaluated. Results . The overall response rate (complete and partial response) was 93%, 60% of which comprised complete remissions. Despite the high response rates obtained in the two groups, the time to progression for complete responses and the median survival time were unsatisfactory (13 [Group 1] and 10 months [Group 2] and 17 [Group 1] and 16 months (Group 2), respectively). The toxicity rate from the two treatments was not relevant. A Grade II mucositis, according to the World Health Organization, was found in 25 patients, and the treatment was interrupted for 7‐10 days in 5. Conclusions . In this study, despite an improvement in the number of complete responses, the chemotherapeutic regimen with or without 5‐FU did not prolong the overall patient survival significantly. Cancer 1995:75:1025‐9.