Intensity-modulated radiation therapy with simultaneous integrated boost technique following neoadjuvant chemotherapy for locoregionally advanced nasopharyngeal carcinoma.
BACKGROUND
Our aim was to evaluate the feasibility and efficacy of intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) with simultaneous integrated boost (SIB) technique following neoadjuvant chemotherapy for locoregionally advanced nasopharyngeal cancer (NPC).


METHODS
Between April 2004 and December 2006, 25 patients with stage IIB to IVB NPC underwent 3 cycles of neoadjuvant chemotherapy followed by IMRT using SIB technique. Neoadjuvant chemotherapeutic regimens were 5-fluorouracil and cisplatin in 11 patients; docetaxel, 5-fluorouracil, and cisplatin in 8; and paclitaxel and cisplatin in 6. Dose prescription of IMRT was as follows: 67.5 Gy at 2.25 Gy/fraction to postchemotherapy gross tumor, 54 to 60 Gy at 1.8 to 2 Gy/fraction to subclinical disease, and 48 Gy at 1.6 Gy/fraction to elective neck. Seventeen patients received weekly cisplatin during the course of radiation therapy as well.


RESULTS
With a median follow-up of 29 months for survivors (range, 14-39), the 3-year local progression-free, regional progression-free, and distant metastasis-free survival rates were 89.6%, 87.2%, and 80.4%, respectively. Treatment was well tolerated despite the grade 3 mucositis (16%) and/or pharyngitis (16%). With follow-up, the frequency of xerostomia decreased. At 3 months after IMRT, the proportions of Radiation Therapy Oncology Group grades 0, 1, and 2 xerostomia were 13%, 38%, and 50%, respectively. At 24 months, the corresponding figures were 36%, 46%, and 18%, respectively.


CONCLUSIONS
IMRT with SIB technique for locoregionally advanced NPC was feasible and effective regarding locoregional control and development of xerostomia, even after neoadjuvant chemotherapy. Definition of gross tumor volume by postchemotherapy extent of disease was also feasible.
Kim
Kyubo
K
Department of Radiation Oncology, Seoul National University College of Medicine, 101 Daehangno, Jongno-Gu, Seoul 110-744, Republic of Korea.
Wu
Hong-Gyun
HG
Kim
Hak Jae
HJ
Sung
Myung-Whun
MW
Kim
Kwang Hyun
KH
Lee
Se-Hoon
SH
Heo
Dae Seog
DS
Kim
Hee Jung
HJ
Park
Charn Il
CI