Radiotherapy with concurrent docetaxel and carboplatin for head and neck cancer.
BACKGROUND
This study was designed to evaluate the concomitant use of docetaxel and carboplatin for radiosensitization in head and neck cancer.


METHODS
One dose of docetaxel at 10 mg/m2 and five doses of carboplatin at AUC of 0.4 per week were administered to patients during the first two weeks of radiotherapy. Sixteen patients were treated with this regimen. Radiotherapy was given to a total dose of 64.8 to 82.0 Gy. Altered fractionation radiotherapy was performed in 12 patients with untreated advanced tumors.


RESULTS
The complete response (CR) rate was 81%, with a partial response (PR) rate of 19%. Toxicities included grade 3 mucositis in 69% of patients and grade 2 dermatitis in 56% of patients.


CONCLUSIONS
This schedule of docetaxel and carboplatin combined with radiotherapy may become a useful approach for the management of head and neck cancer with proper management of mucositis.
Karasawa
K
K
Department of Radiology, School of Medicine, Tokyo Women's Medical University, 8-1 Kawada-cho, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo 162-8666, Japan. kkarasaw@rad.twmu.ac.jp
Shinoda
H
H
Katsui
K
K
Seki
K
K
Kohno
M
M
Hanyu
N
N
Nasu
S
S
Muramatsu
H
H
Maebayashi
K
K
Mitsuhashi
N
N
Yoshihara
T
T
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D016190:Carboplatin / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects; D003528:Carcinoma, Adenoid Cystic / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000473:pathology / Q000532:radiotherapy; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000473:pathology / Q000532:radiotherapy; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy / Q000009:adverse effects; D000077143:Docetaxel; D005260:Female; D006258:Head and Neck Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology / Q000532:radiotherapy*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D017239:Paclitaxel / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000031:analogs & derivatives*; D011838:Radiation-Sensitizing Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects; D011878:Radiotherapy / Q000009:adverse effects; D043823:Taxoids
D011838:Radiation-Sensitizing Agents; D043823:Taxoids; D000077143:Docetaxel; D016190:Carboplatin; D017239:Paclitaxel