Randomized Trial of Radiotherapy Versus Concurrent Chemoradiotherapy Followed by Adjuvant Chemotherapy in Patients With American Joint Committee on Cancer/International Union Against Cancer Stage III and IV Nasopharyngeal Cancer of the Endemic Variety

Abstract

This report confirms the findings of the Intergroup 00-99 Trial and demonstrates its applicability to endemic NPC. This study also confirms that chemotherapy improves the distant metastasis control rate in NPC.

Induction chemotherapy in the treatment of nasopharyngeal carcinoma: Clinical outcomes and patterns of care

“…This is consistent with several prior studies which have also shown 70 Gy to be an optimal dose for NPC, resulting in improved local control and OS, especially when combined with concurrent chemotherapy 28, 29, 30. Interestingly, on multivariable analysis, we find that in this cohort, patients receiving induction chemotherapy were in fact less likely to receive ≥70 Gy.…”

Dose intensity comparison between weekly and 3-weekly Cisplatin delivered concurrently with radical radiotherapy for head and neck cancer: A retrospective comparison from New Cross Hospital, Wolverhampton, UK

“…The results of this study suggest less systemic toxicity and mucositis without compromising local control and overall survival. Data from two further other trials employing a lower cumulative Cisplatin dose or more fractionated Cisplatin dosing [6,7] have shown comparable results. In light of these data and the observation that a significant number of patients could not receive the third Cisplatin dose of 100 mg/ m 2 in a number of studies, it is important to question the long held view that 3 weekly Cisplatin at a 100 mg/m 2 should be the standard regime for combination with chemotherapy.…”

Hotspot mutations in common oncogenes are infrequent in nasopharyngeal carcinoma

“…After primary treatment with radiotherapy or chemoradiotherapy, a significant proportion of endemic NPC patients, particularly those with stage III or IV, relapsed locoregionally and/or systemically (2,3). The median overall survival after recurrence is generally poor and ranges from 7.2 to 22 months (4-6).…”