A comparative study of locoregionally advanced nasopharyngeal carcinoma treated with intensity modulated irradiation and platinum-based chemotherapy

Cancer Radiother. 2013 Jul-Aug;17(4):297-303. doi: 10.1016/j.canrad.2013.03.006. Epub 2013 Jul 9.

Abstract

Purpose: To investigate the prognosis of three subgroups of locoregionally advanced nasopharyngeal carcinoma treated with intensity-modulated radiotherapy and platinum-based chemotherapy.

Patients and methods: Hundred and eighty-one consecutive patients with locoregionally advanced untreated nasopharyngeal carcinoma were retrospectively divided into three subgroups: locally advanced group (T3-4N0-1M0), regionally advanced group (T1-2N2-3M0) and the mixed group (T3-4N2-3M0). They were all treated with definitive intensity-modulated radiotherapy and platinum-based chemotherapy. Their prognosis were investigated and compared. Multivariate analysis was applied to identify the independent risk factors of study endpoints.

Results: The 3-year locoregional control rates for locally advanced group, regionally advanced group, and the mixed group were 91.5%, 90.6% and 84.3% respectively, no significant difference was observed (P=0.656, P=0.429). The 3-year distant metastasis-free survival rates were 89.6%, 75.7% and 76.3%, respectively. The distant metastasis-free survival rate of the locally advanced group was significantly higher than the other two subgroups (P=0.028, P=0.028). The 3-year progression-free survival rates were 85.5%, 67.9% and 67.1% respectively with significance also favoring the locally advanced group (P=0.043, P=0.023). Nodal stage and the performance status were the independent risk factors of distant metastasis in the observed period.

Conclusions: In the context of intensity-modulated radiotherapy and platinum-based chemotherapy, the locally advanced group had a better prognosis compared with the regionally advanced group and the mixed group. Treatment stratification may be based on nodal stage.

Keywords: Carcinome localement évolué du nasopharynx; Chemotherapy; Chimiothérapie; IMRT; Locoregionally advanced nasopharyngeal carcinoma; Radiothérapie conformationnelle avec modulation d’intensité; Subgroup.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study
  • Evaluation Study

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / administration & dosage
  • Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / therapeutic use*
  • Carcinoma / drug therapy
  • Carcinoma / pathology
  • Carcinoma / radiotherapy*
  • Carcinoma / secondary
  • Chemotherapy, Adjuvant*
  • Combined Modality Therapy
  • Disease-Free Survival
  • Female
  • Fluorouracil / administration & dosage
  • Follow-Up Studies
  • Humans
  • Kaplan-Meier Estimate
  • Lymphatic Metastasis
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Nasopharyngeal Neoplasms / drug therapy
  • Nasopharyngeal Neoplasms / pathology
  • Nasopharyngeal Neoplasms / radiotherapy*
  • Neoadjuvant Therapy*
  • Neoplasm Staging
  • Organoplatinum Compounds / administration & dosage
  • Paclitaxel / administration & dosage
  • Platelet Transfusion
  • Prognosis
  • Radiotherapy, Intensity-Modulated*
  • Retrospective Studies
  • Risk Factors
  • Treatment Outcome

Substances

  • Organoplatinum Compounds
  • nedaplatin
  • Paclitaxel
  • Fluorouracil