title: Feasibility of concurrent chemoradiotherapy with S-1 administered on alternate days for elderly patients with head and neck cancer.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Concurrent chemoradiotherapy (CCRT) improves survival and organ preservation in patients with head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC), compared with radiotherapy. However, such regimens are not always feasible because of substantial toxicities. Therefore, we evaluated the feasibility of S-1, administered on alternate days, and concurrent radiotherapy among elderly patients with HNSCC.
  
  
  METHODS
  Nineteen eligible patients were treated with CCRT. S-1 was administered at a dose of 80 mg/day on alternate days with the intention to reduce the toxicity.
  
  
  RESULTS
  With a median follow-up period of 19.2 months, the two-year overall survival rates were 62.5% for patients with stage III disease and 50.0% for those with stage IV. The Complete Response (CR) rates were 100% for stage II and 66.7% for stage III/IV disease. Grade 3 mucositis occurred in three patients. Grade 3 or 4 hematological toxicities were not observed.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  CCRT with S-1 administered on alternate days was effective and well-tolerated among elderly patients with HNSCC.
authors.affiliation: Department of Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Kyorin University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan.
authors.forename: Yasunao
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Kogashiwa
authors.forename: Hiroshi
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Nagafuji
authors.forename: Naoyuki
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Kohno
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000964:Antimetabolites, Antineoplastic / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000188:drug therapy*; D059248:Chemoradiotherapy / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D004338:Drug Combinations; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D005260:Female; D006258:Head and Neck Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010094:Oxonic Acid / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D020266:Radiotherapy, Conformal; D000077195:Squamous Cell Carcinoma of Head and Neck; D005641:Tegafur / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects
chemical_list: D000964:Antimetabolites, Antineoplastic; D004338:Drug Combinations; C079198:S 1 (combination); D005641:Tegafur; D010094:Oxonic Acid