High dose rate brachytherapy boost for primary nasopharyngeal carcinoma: preliminary results of an ongoing prospective study.
BACKGROUND
The exact role of brachytherapy boost in primary nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) is yet to be completely elucidated. We conducted this prospective study to evaluate outcome of patients with NPC treated with high dose rate brachytherapy (HDR-BT) boost, following radical external beam radiotherapy (EBRT) with or without chemotherapy.


METHODS
Between 1998 and 2003, 10 patients of primary NPC were prospectively considered for HDR-BT boost. Median EBRT dose was 66 Gy (range: 60-70 Gy). Median HDR-BT boost dose was 12 Gy (range: 5-14 Gy) given in 1-4 fractions.


RESULTS
At a median follow-up of 28 months (range: 5-66 months), the local control rate was 90%. Two patients developed distant metastases and one patient developed a second primary in the lower alveolus. The 3-year disease free survival rate was 60%. Grade III mucositis developed in 2 (20%) patients.


CONCLUSIONS
HDR-BT is an efficacious boost modality with acceptable morbidity in selected patients with NPC.
Malde
Rohit
R
Department of Radiation Oncology, Tata Memorial Hospital, Dr Ernest Borges Marg, Parel, Mumbai 400012, India.
Agarwal
Jai Prakash
JP
Laskar
Sarbani Ghosh
SG
Gupta
Tejpal
T
Dinshaw
Ketayun
K
D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001918:Brachytherapy / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods*; D002945:Cisplatin / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007496:Iridium Radioisotopes / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009061:Mouth Mucosa / Q000528:radiation effects; D009303:Nasopharyngeal Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000532:radiotherapy*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011838:Radiation-Sensitizing Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D011879:Radiotherapy Dosage; D013280:Stomatitis / Q000209:etiology; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D007496:Iridium Radioisotopes; D011838:Radiation-Sensitizing Agents; D002945:Cisplatin