Chemotherapy with or without radiotherapy in patients with locoregionally recurrent nasopharyngeal carcinoma.
BACKGROUND
Treatment of locoregionally recurrent nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) is challenging because of prior radiotherapy, morbidities from disease recurrence, and limited therapeutic options available.


METHODS
A retrospective study of patients with locoregionally recurrent NPC.


RESULTS
Between March 1994 and December 1999, there were 42 patients; most were Chinese (98%) men (81%) with undifferentiated NPC (86%). A repeat course of radiotherapy was feasible in 20 patients and given concurrently with cisplatin followed by adjuvant cisplatin/5-fluorouracil (PF) (group 1). The remaining 22 (group 2) received palliative chemotherapy (PF) with a response rate of 50%. Significant morbidities resulted from cranial nerve palsies. The 2-year progression-free survival of patients in group 1 was expectedly better (58% vs 38%). Six (14%) developed systemic metastases at 12 months (median) from first recurrence.


CONCLUSIONS
Concurrent chemoradiotherapy for locoregional recurrent NPC seems promising. The morbidity experienced resulted from locoregional disease with few progressing to develop systemic involvement.
Department of Medical Oncology, National Cancer Centre, 11 Hospital Drive, Singapore 169610. dmoteh@nccs.com.sg
Zee-Wan
ZW
Wong
Eng-Huat
EH
Tan
Swee-Peng
SP
Yap
Terence
T
Tan
Swan-Swan
SS
Leong
Kam-Weng
KW
Fong
Joseph
J
Wee
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D017024:Chemotherapy, Adjuvant; D002945:Cisplatin / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D018450:Disease Progression; D005260:Female; D005472:Fluorouracil / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009303:Nasopharyngeal Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000401:mortality / Q000532:radiotherapy*; D009364:Neoplasm Recurrence, Local / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000532:radiotherapy*; D010166:Palliative Care; D011879:Radiotherapy Dosage; D012189:Retrospective Studies
D002945:Cisplatin; D005472:Fluorouracil