Concurrent chemoradiotherapy in locoregionally recurrent nasopharyngeal carcinoma.
OBJECTIVE
To analyze the results of concurrent chemoradiotherapy in patients with locoregional recurrent nasopharyngeal carcinoma.


METHODS
We performed a retrospective analysis of 35 patients with locoregional recurrent nasopharyngeal carcinoma referred to our department between March 1994 and November 2002. Most patients were male (77%), Chinese (97%), and had undifferentiated carcinoma (89%). Most had extensive locally recurrent Stage rT3-T4 disease (66%) with a median age at recurrence of 49 years (range, 35-69 years). A repeat course of radiotherapy was given concurrently with cisplatin, with cisplatin/5-fluorouracil as consolidation treatment. Significant morbidities were present, including cranial nerve palsies due to extensive recurrent local disease before treatment of the recurrence.


RESULTS
The response rate to concurrent chemoradiotherapy was 58% (29% complete response and 29% partial response). The 5-year progression-free and overall survival rate, calculated using the Kaplan-Meier method, was 15% and 26%, respectively. Only 3 patients developed systemic metastases. Grade 3-4 acute toxicities included emesis (9%) and neutropenia (14%), and Grade 3-4 late toxicities consisted of temporal lobe necrosis (3%), cranial neuropathy (6%), and endocrine abnormalities (14%).


CONCLUSIONS
Concurrent chemoradiotherapy is feasible in a selected group of patients with locoregional recurrent NPC, but the risk of major late toxicities is significant.
Department of Medical Oncology, Division of Clinical Trials and Epidemiological Sciences, National Cancer Centre, 11 Hospital Drive, Singapore 169610.
Donald
D
Poon
Swee-Peng
SP
Yap
Zee-Wan
ZW
Wong
Yin-Bun
YB
Cheung
Swan-Swan
SS
Leong
Joseph
J
Wee
Terence
T
Tan
Kam-Weng
KW
Fong
Eu-Tiong
ET
Chua
Eng-Huat
EH
Tan
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002277:Carcinoma / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology / Q000532:radiotherapy*; D002945:Cisplatin / Q000008:administration & dosage; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D005260:Female; D005472:Fluorouracil / Q000008:administration & dosage; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009303:Nasopharyngeal Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology / Q000532:radiotherapy*; D009364:Neoplasm Recurrence, Local / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology / Q000532:radiotherapy*; D016016:Proportional Hazards Models; D012189:Retrospective Studies
D002945:Cisplatin; D005472:Fluorouracil