title: Hyperfractionated radiotherapy followed by adjuvant chemotherapy for nasopharyngeal cancer: report of seven cases.
abstract: Cases of hyperfractionated radiotherapy and adjuvant chemotherapy for nasopharyngeal cancer are reported. Seven patients received hyperfractionated radiotherapy (76.8-81.6 Gy/64-68 fractions to primary tumor) and two cycles of cisplatin (80 mg/m2 i.v. on day 1) plus 5-FU (800 mg/m2 continuous infusion on days 2-6). Mucositis was the most frequent side effect in hyperfractionated radiotherapy. Moderate leukopenia was the major side effect of adjuvant chemotherapy. With a mean follow-up time of 34 months (range 25-48 months), five of the seven patients were locoregionally controlled. Two developed distant metastases. Two patients suffered late complications (posterior nasopharyngeal wall necrosis and brain necrosis). These results suggested that our regimen was almost well tolerated and might be of use in locoregional control of nasopharyngeal cancer. However, it carries some risk of late complications and might be inadequate for preventing distant metastases. A three-dimensional conformal boost irradiation technique and adequate dose intensity chemotherapy might be encouraged.
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology, University of the Ryukyus School of Medicine, Okinawa, Japan. b983255@med.u-ryukyu.ac.jp
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Toita
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Ogawa
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Kamata
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Kojya
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Itokazu
authors.forename: Y
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Kakinohana
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Iraha
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Yoshinaga
authors.forename: Y
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Zukeran
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Sawada
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D017024:Chemotherapy, Adjuvant; D002945:Cisplatin / Q000008:administration & dosage; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D019583:Dose Fractionation, Radiation; D005260:Female; D005472:Fluorouracil / Q000008:administration & dosage; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009303:Nasopharyngeal Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000532:radiotherapy*; D010865:Pilot Projects; D011878:Radiotherapy / Q000009:adverse effects; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D002945:Cisplatin; D005472:Fluorouracil