[Combined radiochemotherapy in locally advanced nasopharyngeal carcinoma].
BACKGROUND
Nasopharyngeal cancer (NPC) is a tumor of epidermoid origin with an entirely different biological behavior than other carcinoma of the head and neck region.


METHODS
A retrospective analysis was performed in 93 cases with locally advanced NPC treated with induction chemotherapy followed by radiation therapy (RT; 79 patients) or concomitant RT and chemotherapy.


RESULTS
Totally 66 patients (71%) achieved a complete response (CR), 68% of the patients treated with induction chemotherapy followed by RT, 86% with concomitant chemoradiotherapy. After a median follow-up of 5.5 years 28 out of these 66 relapsed, 25 of them locoregionally. Median time to progression was 22.5 months, median overall survival (OS) 45 months, 5-year actuarial survival was 41.5%. Age, T and N classification, histological type and type of chemotherapy were independent significant factors for OS.


CONCLUSIONS
Combined chemotherapy and RT in patients with locally advanced NPC result in a high CR rate. The main problem remains the locoregional control. Randomized studies are needed in order to define the optimal use of chemotherapy in combination with RT.
Daniilidis
J
J
Hals-Nasen-Ohren-Klinik, Aristoteles-Universität Thessaloniki, Klinikum AHEPA, 54006 Thessaloniki/Griechenland. orlcln@med.auth.gr
Constantinidis
J
J
Fountzilas
G
G
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002277:Carcinoma / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000401:mortality / Q000473:pathology / Q000532:radiotherapy*; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000401:mortality / Q000473:pathology / Q000532:radiotherapy*; D017024:Chemotherapy, Adjuvant; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009303:Nasopharyngeal Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000401:mortality / Q000473:pathology / Q000532:radiotherapy*; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D015996:Survival Rate