Elsevier

Annals of Oncology

Volume 21, Issue 11, November 2010, Pages 2272-2277
Annals of Oncology

original articles
head and neck cancer
Concomitant chemoradiation versus radical radiotherapy in advanced squamous cell carcinoma of oropharynx and nasopharynx using weekly cisplatin: a phase II randomized trial

https://doi.org/10.1093/annonc/mdq219Get rights and content
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Abstract

Background

To know the effectiveness and tolerance of weekly cisplatin added to radiotherapy (RT) in advanced carcinoma of oropharynx and nasopharynx.

Patients and methods

Stage II–IV cancer patients were randomly assigned to either radical RT, 70 Gy/35 fractions over 7 weeks (RT arm), or chemoradiotherapy (CRT), cisplatin 40 mg/m2 weekly for seven doses plus RT. Primary end points were (i) the responses, (ii) toxicity profile, and (iii) overall survival (OS) in two groups. Study period was from June 2003 to July 2005.

Results

One hundred and fifty-three patients were randomly allocated to the study, 76 in RT arm and 77 in CRT arm. Seventy-one in each arm completed the planned treatment; complete response (CR): 67.1% versus 80.5% in RT and CRT arms (P = 0.04). Grade III and IV toxicity were 16% and 40% in RT and CRT arms, respectively (P = 0.01). There were frequent treatment interruptions (9.3% versus 28.9%; P = 0.003) and hospitalization (20% versus 40.8%) in the CRT group. OS was superior in the CRT arm (P = 0.02): 27 months [95% confidence interval (CI) 15.2–36.8] for RT versus not reached for CRT. Three-year OS was 42% for RT and 62% for CRT group. CRT and CR were independent prognostic factors.

Conclusion

This trial on Indian head and neck squamous cell carcinoma patients confirms that the use of weekly cisplatin is safe and CRT is superior to RT alone resulting in higher OS.

Keywords

chemoradiotherapy
India
nasopharynx
oropharynx

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