Clark JR, Norris CM, Dreyfuss AI, Fallon BG, Balogh K, Anderson RF, Chaffey JT, Andersen JW, Miller D. Nasopharyngeal carcinoma: the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute experience with 24 patients treated with induction chemotherapy and radiotherapy.
Ann Otol Rhinol Laryngol 1987;
96:608-14. [PMID:
3674660 DOI:
10.1177/000348948709600525]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Abstract
Nasopharyngeal carcinoma traditionally has been treated with radiotherapy alone. Although the probability of cure for patients with stage I and II nasopharyngeal carcinoma is high, the probability of cure for patients with stage III and IV disease is poor because of a higher rate of local-regional and distant failure. Between February 1981 and August 1986, 24 patients with previously untreated, stage IV nasopharyngeal carcinoma were treated with two to four monthly courses of cisplatin-based combination chemotherapy prior to radiotherapy. A response to induction chemotherapy was recorded in 75% of patients (29% complete response and 46% partial) prior to radiotherapy. By actuarial estimate with a median follow-up of 42 months, the 2-year failure-free survival for all patients was 57%. In conclusion, induction chemotherapy has significant activity in nasopharyngeal carcinoma. The toxicity of this approach, as well as the influence of initial histopathology and response to chemotherapy on survival, will be discussed.
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