Open AccessCarbon‐ion radiotherapy combined with chemotherapy for head and neck mucosal melanoma: Prospective observational study
Author(s) -
Takayasu Yukihiro,
Kubo Nobuteru,
Shino Masato,
Nikkuni Osamu,
Ida Shota,
Musha Atsushi,
Takahashi Katsumasa,
Hirato Junko,
Shirai Katsuyuki,
Saitoh Junichi,
Yokoo Satoshi,
Chikamatsu Kazuaki,
Ohno Tatsuya,
Nakano Takashi
Publication year - 2019
Publication title -
cancer medicine
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.403
H-Index - 53
ISSN - 2045-7634
DOI - 10.1002/cam4.2614
Subject(s) - medicine , mucositis , radiation therapy , vincristine , clinical endpoint , dacarbazine , adverse effect , mucosal melanoma , leukopenia , surgery , chemotherapy , oncology , randomized controlled trial , head and neck , cyclophosphamide
This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of carbon‐ion radiotherapy in combination with chemotherapy using dacarbazine, nimustine, and vincristine (DAV therapy) in mucosal melanoma. Twenty‐one patients with clinically localized mucosal melanoma of the head and neck were enrolled. The primary endpoint was 3‐year overall survival (OS). Secondary endpoints included local control, progression‐free survival (PFS), and adverse event occurrence. Carbon‐ion radiotherapy with a dose of 57.6‐64.0 Gy (relative biological effectiveness) in 16 fractions was delivered concurrently with DAV therapy, and 2 cycles of adjuvant DAV therapy were administered every 6 weeks. The median follow‐up periods were 15.5 months for all patients, and 31.2 months for 12 surviving patients. All patients had locally advanced T4a or T4b disease in the rhino‐sinus area. In 16 patients (76.2%), 3 cycles of planned DAV therapy were completed. The 3‐year OS and PFS rates were 49.2% and 37.0% respectively. The 3‐year local control rate was 92.3%. Eleven patients (52%) developed distant metastasis, which was the most frequent pattern of the first failure. Commonly presenting acute grade 2‐3 toxicities associated with radiotherapy and chemotherapy were mucositis (11 patients [53%]) and leukopenia (9 patients [43%]), which improved with conservative therapy. None of the patients developed grade 3 or greater late toxicities. Carbon‐ion radiotherapy in combination with DAV therapy led to excellent local control for advanced mucosal melanoma within acceptable toxicities. The efficacy of additional DAV therapy in improving survival was weaker than expected as distant metastases still occurred frequently. Trial registration no. UMIN7939.