Highlights
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The safety and efficacy of alternating chemoradiotherapy using cisplatin and 5-fluorouracil were retrospectively examined in nasopharyngeal carcinoma patients.
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The overall comlete response rate was 93% with preserving renal function.
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The 5-year overall survival and progression-free survival rates were 83.7% and 88.9%, respectively.
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Treatment compliance, the 5-year overall survival rate and the 5-year overall survival rate are comparable to that of previous reports.
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Alternating chemoradiotherapy using cisplatin and 5-fluorouracil in nasopharyngeal carcinoma patients was well tolerated with acceptable efficacy.
Abstract
Objective
To evaluate the efficacy and safety of Alternating Chemoradiotherapy (ACRT) using cisplatin and 5-Fluorouracil (5-FU) in patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma.
Methods
This was a retrospective study in which patients’ clinical records were reviewed to identify patients with a new diagnosis of nasopharyngeal carcinoma at our institution between January 2005 and January 2019. Thirty-seven eligible patients were identified; of these, the clinical details of 27 patients treated with ACRT were evaluated. Patient outcomes, including overall survival and progression-free survival, and adverse events were assessed.
Results
Of these initial 37 patients, 1, 10, 13, 10, and 3 were staged as I, II, III, IVA, and IVB, respectively, as defined by the 8th edition of the TNM classification system. Twenty-seven patients received ACRT comprising sequential administration of chemotherapy, radiotherapy (wide field), chemotherapy, radiotherapy (shrinking field), and chemotherapy. The 5-year overall survival and progression-free survival rates were 83.7% and 88.9%, respectively. Treatment compliance was 93%, which is comparable to that of previous reports.
Conclusion
ACRT using cisplating and 5-fluorouracil was well tolerated with acceptable efficacy.
Level of Evidence
IVa
Keywords
Alternating chemoradiotherapy; Nasopharyngeal carcinoma; Cisplatin; 5-fluorouracil