Open AccessSuccessful treatment of nasopharyngeal cancer using radiotherapy with concurrent cetuximab in a patient with Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease
Author(s) -
Alexandra Nicoleta Budure,
Eric Winquist,
David A. Palma,
Rohann Correa
Publication year - 2019
Publication title -
bmj case reports
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.231
H-Index - 26
ISSN - 1757-790X
DOI - 10.1136/bcr-2018-228956
Subject(s) - cetuximab , medicine , nasopharyngeal carcinoma , radiation therapy , context (archaeology) , disease , neurotoxicity , cancer , regimen , chemotherapy , oncology , colorectal cancer , toxicity , paleontology , biology
Herein we present a case of a patient with Charcot-Marie-Tooth (CMT) disease who was diagnosed with locally invasive nasopharyngeal carcinoma. In the context of CMT, the use of standard platinum-based radio-sensitising chemotherapy would have been neurotoxic and is contraindicated in patients with CMT. However, no alternate antineoplastic treatment strategies for patients with CMT have been described in the literature. In this case, an innovative approach was taken using radical radiotherapy concurrently with the biological agent cetuximab. The patient did not suffer any neurotoxicity, though he did experience several expected toxicities commonly associated with this regimen. The patient nonetheless completed treatment and has experienced an excellent response both clinically and radiographically and remains disease free.