Combined treatment in carcinoma of the nasopharynx

Laryngoscope. 1988 Aug;98(8 Pt 1):881-3. doi: 10.1288/00005537-198808000-00018.

Abstract

From October 1982 to August 1984, 30 previously untreated patients with biopsy-proven carcinoma of the nasopharynx, stage III (26.5%) and stage IV (73.5%), received combined radiotherapy (6,000 to 7,000 cGy over a period of 7 to 7.5 weeks) and chemotherapy (mitomycin-C 10 mg/M2, IV; 5-fluorouracil 750 mg/M2, IV; and methotrexate 30 mg/M2, IV) concomitantly. There were 20 males and 10 females, with a median age of 40 years. Minimal follow-up duration was 24 months. Actuarial overall survival rate at 48 months was 49%. Complete local response was achieved in 75% of the patients, with 31% of the cases failing distantly. The complication rate was high and included severe mucositis, xerostomia, and septicemia (fatal in two cases). Despite high local disease control, survival rate did not increase. A randomized trial is urgently needed to establish whether or not combined treatment is of value in advanced carcinoma of the nasopharynx.

MeSH terms

  • Actuarial Analysis
  • Adult
  • Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / therapeutic use*
  • Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / mortality
  • Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / therapy*
  • Combined Modality Therapy
  • Female
  • Fluorouracil / administration & dosage
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Methotrexate / administration & dosage
  • Mitomycin
  • Mitomycins / administration & dosage
  • Nasopharyngeal Neoplasms / mortality
  • Nasopharyngeal Neoplasms / therapy*
  • Radioisotope Teletherapy
  • Radiotherapy Dosage

Substances

  • Mitomycins
  • Mitomycin
  • Fluorouracil
  • Methotrexate