Neo-adjuvant Docetaxel and Cisplatin followed by concurrent Cisplatin with radiation therapy in treatment of locally advanced nasopharyngeal carcinoma.

Abstract

AIM OF THE STUDY:

To assess the tolerability, toxicity and efficacy of neo-adjuvant Docetaxel and Cisplatin (TC) followed by concurrent Cisplatin and radiotherapy (RT) in patients with loco-regionally advanced nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC).

PATIENTS AND METHODS:

Fourteen patients with locally advanced NPC received two cycles of Docetaxel (75 mg/m2 on days 1, and 21) and Cisplatin (75 mg/m2 on days 1, and 21) followed by 7 weeks of Cisplatin (40 mg/m2 weekly) and RT at 70 Gy in 2-Gy per fraction.

RESULTS:

Response to neo-adjuvant TC was as follows: 5 patients (36%) and 11 patients (79%) achieved partial remission (PR) in regional nodes and nasopharynx, respectively. Nine patients (64%) and 1 patient (7%) achieved complete remission (CR) in regional nodes and nasopharynx, respectively. At 6 weeks after RT, 12 patients (86%) achieved CR in regional nodes and nasopharynx, and 2 patients (14%) achieved partial response (PR) in regional nodes and nasopharynx. Neo-adjuvant TC was well tolerated. The most common acute toxicity of Cisplatin plus Docetaxel was grade 3-4 leucopenia (57%) and alopecia (43%). The most common acute toxicity of Cisplatin plus RT was grade 3-4 mucositis (64%). At median follow-up of 12 months, one distant and one loco-regional failure occurred. CONCLUSIONS Neo-adjuvant Docetaxel and Cisplatin (TC) followed by concurrent Cisplatin and radiotherapy (RT) in patients with loco-regionally advanced nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) was feasible and resulted in excellent local tumour control with acceptable toxicity profile.

• Authors: E Hassan, K Galal, E Esmat
• Journal: The Gulf journal of oncology (Gulf J Oncolog) Issue 3 Pg. 46-53 (Jan 2008) ISSN: 2078-2101 [Print] Kuwait
• PMID: 20084797 (Publication Type: Journal Article)

Chemical References

• Taxoids
• Docetaxel
• Cisplatin

Topics

• Adult
• Aged
• Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols (therapeutic use)
• Chemotherapy, Adjuvant
• Cisplatin (administration & dosage)
• Combined Modality Therapy
• Docetaxel
• Feasibility Studies
• Female
• Humans
• Male
• Middle Aged
• Nasopharyngeal Neoplasms (drug therapy, pathology, radiotherapy)
• Neoadjuvant Therapy
• Neoplasm Staging
• Prognosis
• Radiotherapy Dosage
• Taxoids (administration & dosage)
• Treatment Outcome