Weekly 5-fluorouracil plus cisplatin for concurrent chemoradiotherapy in patients with locally advanced head and neck cancer.
BACKGROUND
In locally advanced head and neck cancer, concurrent chemoradiotherapy (CRT) with combined 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) and cisplatin has increased acute toxicities as well as survival. Once-weekly chemotherapeutic administration schedule may reduce severe toxicities. Thus, we investigated CRT using weekly administration of 5-FU-cisplatin in locally advanced head and neck cancer.


METHODS
In a single-arm, phase II study, CRT included radiation (70.0 Gy/35 fr) and weekly 5-FU (750 mg/m2) and cisplatin (20 mg/m2).


RESULTS
Thirty-two patients completed planned radiation. Thirteen (41%) achieved complete response, and 16 (50%) partial response. Twelve patients (38%) experienced acute grade 3 toxicities. Grade 3 mucositis, which was the most common toxicity, developed in 5 (16%) patients. The survival rates at 1 and 2 years were 81% and 76%, respectively. The progression-free survival rates at 1 and 2 years were 69% and 66%, respectively.


CONCLUSIONS
We demonstrated weekly 5-FU-cisplatin with conventional radiotherapy was efficacious and feasible with high compliance rate in locally advanced head and neck cancer.
Lee
Young Joo
YJ
Department of Internal Medicine, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
Lee
Chang Geol
CG
Cho
Byoung Chul
BC
Kim
Gwi Eon
GE
Choi
Hye Jin
HJ
Choi
Eun Chang
EC
Sohn
Joo Hyuk
JH
Kim
Joo-Hang
JH
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000401:mortality / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy*; D002945:Cisplatin / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects*; D018572:Disease-Free Survival; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D005260:Female; D005472:Fluorouracil / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D006258:Head and Neck Neoplasms / Q000401:mortality / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy*; D006801:Humans; D008207:Lymphatic Metastasis; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D052016:Mucositis / Q000209:etiology; D009364:Neoplasm Recurrence, Local; D018714:Radiotherapy, Adjuvant; D020266:Radiotherapy, Conformal / Q000009:adverse effects; D015996:Survival Rate
D002945:Cisplatin; D005472:Fluorouracil