Purpose: To determine the efficacy and safety of epirubicin, cisplatin, and infusional fluorouracil (5-FU) chemotherapy followed by radiation with concurrent cisplatin in patients with locally and/or regionally advanced nasopharyngeal cancer.
Patients and methods: Thirty-five patients were treated with three cycles of induction chemotherapy with epirubicin 50 mg/m(2) and cisplatin 75 mg/m(2) combined with continuous-infusion 5-FU 200 mg/m(2) daily for 9 weeks, followed by concurrent chemoradiation of 60 Gy in 2-Gy fractions with cisplatin 20 mg/m(2) daily for 5 days in weeks 1 and 6.
Results: Median age was 43 years, 74% had World Health Organization type III histology, and 91% had stage IV disease (International Union Against Cancer, ed 4). All patients received three cycles of induction chemotherapy, and 97% completed chemoradiation. The estimated 4-year progression-free survival rate was 81% (95% CI, 59% to 93%), and the estimated 4-year overall survival rate was 90% (95% CI, 74% to 97%). Only two patients have had a locoregional relapse by the close-out date despite the use of only 60 Gy. Induction chemotherapy was well tolerated, with 11% grade 3 or 4 stomatitis, 26% grade 3 vomiting, and no episodes of febrile neutropenia. Acute toxicities of chemoradiation were as follows: 23% grade 3 or 4 vomiting, 6% febrile neutropenia, 31% grade 3 mucositis, and 23% grade 3 skin toxicity. The most prevalent grade 3 late effects were xerostomia and hearing loss.
Conclusion: This regimen was well tolerated, can be delivered as planned, and has resulted in excellent locoregional disease control and survival in patients with locally advanced nasopharyngeal cancer.