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ABSTRACT: We sought to evaluate the nature and frequency of late toxicities in a cohort of nasopharyngeal cancer (NPC) patients treated with conventional radiotherapy alone.
Seven-hundred and ninety-six consecutive NPC patients treated using conventional radiotherapy at a single center from 1992 to 1995 were retrospectively analyzed. Patients with histology proven, completely staged, Stage I-IVB World Health Organization Type I-III NPC and completed radical radiotherapy were included. Patients with incomplete staging investigations, distant metastases at diagnosis, previous treatment, and incomplete radiotherapy were excluded. Radiotherapy-related complications were categorized using the RTOG Late Radiation Morbidity Scoring Criteria.
Median follow-up was 7.2years. The 5-year overall survival and disease free survival were 69% and 56%, respectively, and the corresponding 10-year rates were 52% and 44%. Among 771 patients with at least 3months of follow-up post treatment, 565 (73%) developed RT-related complications. Diagnosed neurological complications were cranial nerve palsies (n=70; 9%), temporal lobe necrosis (n=37; 5%), Lhermitte's syndrome (n=7; 1%), and brachial plexopathy (n=2; 0.3%). Non-neurological complications included xerostomia (n=353; 46%), neck fibrosis (n=169; 22%), hypo-pituitarism (n=48; 6%), hearing loss (n=120; 16%), dysphagia (n=116; 15%), otorrhea (n=101; 13%), tinnitus (n=94; 12%), permanent tube feeding (n=61; 8%), trismus (n=45; 6%), second malignancies within treatment field (n=17; 2%), and osteo-radionecrosis (n=13; 2%).
While radiotherapy is curative in NPC, many patients suffer significant late treatment morbidities with conventional radiotherapy techniques.
Radiotherapy and Oncology 01/2012; 104(3):305-11. · 5.58 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: This is a retrospective study aimed to analyse the outcomes of oral tongue cancer with emphasis on young people.
Patients treated radically between 1998 and 2006 were included and categorised according to treatment modalities (Group A: Surgery, Group B: Surgery and adjuvant therapy, Group C: Definitive radiotherapy) and age groups (≤ 40 and > 40 years). Overall survival (OS), disease-free survival (DFS), locoregional relapse-free survival (LRS) and metastasis-free survival (MFS) were estimated using Kaplan-Meier method.
There were 123 patients with 32%, 53% and 15% in Group A, B and C, respectively. Of these, 17 patients (14%) were ≤40 years with 6 (15%), 8 (12%) and 3 (16%) young oral tongues in Group A, B and C, respectively. Five-year OS and DFS were 69%/72%, 41%/47% and 16%/9.5% for Group A, B and C, respectively. Young patients had similar survival as the older population with 5-year OS of 83%, 75% and 33% in Group A, B and C, as compared to the older patients (66%, 36% and 13%, respectively).
Young oral tongue patients did not have worse outcomes.
Annals of the Academy of Medicine, Singapore 12/2010; 39(12):897-7. · 1.25 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: The aim of this study was to review our experience and demonstrate the safety of intracavitary brachytherapy (ICB) in patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC).
Hundred seventy-eight patients with early T1-2b disease underwent radical external beam radiation therapy (EBRT) followed by ICB boost. The primary tumor received 66 Gy of EBRT over 33 fractions using 6 or 10 MV photons. ICB insertions were performed 1 week later, delivering 10 Gy in 2 fractions over 8 days. Kaplan-Meier survival analyses were used to calculate the actuarial 5-year overall survival (OS), cause-specific survival, local control, and disease-free survival (DFS).
Five-year local control rates were 91.6%. OS, DFS, and cause-specific survival were estimated to be 85.25%, 81.7%, and 87.9%, respectively. Median follow-up was 86 months. There were no documented serious complications noted with ICB.
ICB boost supplementing radical EBRT is an excellent method of enhancing local control for patients with NPC with early T1-2b disease.
Head & Neck 07/2009; 31(12):1610-8. · 2.40 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: This is phase II study evaluating a non-platinum-containing regimen, used in conjunction with radiotherapy, in patients with locally advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Patients with non-resectable stage III NSCLC were treated with two cycles of induction gemcitabine (1000mg/m(2)) and vinorelbine (25mg/m(2)) given on D(1,8) every 21 days, followed by thoracic radiotherapy (60-66Gy) with concurrent weekly vinorelbine (15mg/m(2)). The primary objective was to assess response rate and secondary objectives to assess tolerability and to determine the progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS). Of the 42 patients enrolled on the study, 15 (36%) achieved a partial response (PR) after induction chemotherapy. After chemo-radiotherapy, five patients had complete response (CR) and 19 patients had PR, giving an overall response rate of 52%. The median PFS was 8 months and median OS was 17 months. The regimen was tolerable, with a 21% grade 3/4 neutropenia rate and 38% grade 2/3 esophagitis rate.
Lung cancer (Amsterdam, Netherlands) 06/2009; 67(3):325-9. · 3.14 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: The aim of this study was to determine the efficacy and acute toxicity of our early experience with treating nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) patients with intensity-modulated radiotherapy (IMRT).
A review was conducted on case records of 195 patients with histologically proven, nonmetastatic NPC treated with IMRT between 2002 and 2005. MRI of the head and neck was fused with CT simulation images. All plans had target volumes at three dose levels, with a prescribed dose of 70 Gy to the gross disease, in 2.0-2.12 Gy/fraction over 33-35 fractions. Cisplatin-based chemotherapy was offered to Stage III/IV patients.
Median patient age was 52 years, and 69% were male. Median follow-up was 36.5 months. One hundred and twenty-three patients had Stage III/IV disease (63%); 50 (26%) had T4 disease. One hundred and eighty-eight (96%) had complete response; 7 (4%) had partial response. Of the complete responders, 10 (5.3%) had local recurrence, giving a 3-year local recurrence-free survival estimate of 93.1% and a 3-year disease-free survival of 82.1%. Fifty-one patients (26%) had at least one Grade 3 toxicity.
Results from our series are comparable to those reported by other centers. Acute toxicity is common. Local failure or persistent disease, especially in patients with bulky T4 disease, are issues that must be addressed in future trials.
International journal of radiation oncology, biology, physics 05/2009; 75(5):1481-6. · 4.59 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: Over-expression of cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) enzyme has been reported in nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC). However, the prognostic significance of this has yet to be conclusively determined. Thus, from our randomized trial of radiation versus concurrent chemoradiation in endemic NPC, we analyzed a cohort of tumour samples collected from participants from one referral hospital.
58 out of 88 patients from this institution had samples available for analysis. COX-2 expression levels were stratified by immunohistochemistry, into negligible, weak, moderate and strong, and correlated with overall and disease specific survivals.
58% had negligible or weak COX-2 expression, while 14% and 28% had moderate and strong expression respectively. Weak COX-2 expression conferred a poorer median overall survival, 1.3 years for weak versus 6.3 years for negligible, 7.8 years, strong and not reached for moderate. There was a similar trend for disease specific survival.
Contrary to literature published on other malignancies, our findings seemed to indicate that over-expression of COX-2 confer a better prognosis in patients with endemic NPC. Larger studies are required to conclusively determine the significance of COX-2 expression in these patients.
Radiation Oncology 02/2009; 4:23. · 2.32 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: Endemic nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) commonly metastasizes to the lungs, liver, and bones. This study aims to assess the efficacy of 4 distant metastasis staging modalities, namely (1) conventional work-up comprising chest X-ray, liver ultrasound, and skeletal scintigraphy, (2) CT of the thorax, abdomen, and skeletal scintigraphy, (3) (18)F-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography (FDG-PET), and (4) integrated FDG-PET/CT.
Seventy-eight consecutive patients diagnosed with NPC were enrolled and followed up for a minimum of 6 months to confirm the staging at diagnosis.
Six patients (7.7%) had distant metastases at diagnosis. The sensitivities and specificities of conventional work-up, combined CT and skeletal scintigraphy, FDG-PET, and FDG-PET/CT were 33.3%, 66.7%, 83.3%, and 83.3%; and 90.3%, 91.7%, 94.4%, and 97.2%, respectively. The corresponding accuracies were 85.9%, 89.7%, 93.6%, and 96.2%.
FDG-PET/CT is the most sensitive, specific, and accurate modality for distant metastasis staging of endemic NPC.
Head & Neck 11/2008; 31(3):346-54. · 2.40 Impact Factor
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Swee-Peng Yap,
Wan-Teck Lim,
Kian-Fong Foo,
Siew-Wan Hee,
Swan-Swan Leong, Kam-Weng Fong,
Philip Eng,
Anne Al Hsu,
Joseph Ts Wee,
Thirugnanam Agasthian,
Heng-Nung Koong,
Eng-Huat Tan
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ABSTRACT: It has been established that combined chemoradiotherapy treatment benefits selected patients with stage III Non Small Cell Lung Cancer (NSCLC). However, locoregional recurrence still poses a problem. The addition of surgery as the third modality may provide a possible solution. We report our experience of using the triple-modality approach in this group of patients.
This is a retrospective review of 33 patients with stage III NSCLC treated between 1997 and 2005. Patients have good performance status and no significant weight loss. There were 26 males (79 %) with median age of 63 years (range, 43 to 74) and median follow-up of 49 months. Seventy-six percent had Stage IIIA disease. Chemotherapy consisted of paclitaxel at 175 mg/m2 over 3 hours followed by carboplatin at AUC of 5 over 1 hour. Thoracic radiotherapy was given concurrently with the second and third cycles of chemotherapy. All patients received 50 Gray in 25 fractions over 5 weeks.
The main toxicities were grade 3/4 neutropenia (30%), grade 3 infection (15 %) and grade 3 oesophagitis (9%). Twenty-five patients (76%) underwent surgery. Of the 8 who did not undergo surgery, 1 was deemed medically unfit after induction chemoradiotherapy and 4 had progressive disease; 3 declined surgery. Nineteen patients (58 %) had lobectomy and 6 had pneumonectomy. The median overall survival was 29.9 months and 12 patients are still in remission.
The use of the triplemodality approach is feasible, with an acceptable tolerability and resectability rate in this group of patients.
Annals of the Academy of Medicine, Singapore 06/2008; 37(5):377-82. · 1.25 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: Nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) of the endemic type (World Health Organization [WHO] type II and III) is considered separately
from head and neck squamous cell cancer (HNSCC) because of certain distinctive features that confer a different biological
behavior in terms of treatment responses and disease outcome. The most important feature that probably accounts for this difference
is its strong association with the Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) (1–]3). This virus is probably the key etiological agent in the pathogenesis of this cancer, with genetic predisposition and other
environmental factors as important cofactors (4–13). This is in line with the peculiar geographic distribution and racial predilection of this disease.
11/2007: pages 211-225;
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ABSTRACT: The aim of this study was to assess the outcome of radical treatment for stage I non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) with external beam radiation therapy.
A retrospective series of 23 patients with stage I NSCLC treated radically with radiotherapy from September 1997 to December 2004 at the National Cancer Centre, Singapore. Eighteen patients had 3D conformal radiotherapy and 5 patients had 2D planning. The median radiation dose delivered was 55 Gy (range, 50 to 67.5 in 20 to 33 fractions). The estimated median BED(10) was 63.9 Gy (range, 57.6 to 70.1). Complete response (CR) rates, overall survival and cause-specific survival rates were analysed for evaluation of treatment results. Local regional failure was defined as disease in the ipsilateral lung and entire mediastinum. Recurrence at the contralateral lung and other distal organs was defined as distant metastases. Survival data were calculated using the Kaplan-Meier method and tested for significance with log-rank statistics.
A total of 23 patients (16 males, 7 females) with a median age of 73 years (range, 45 to 88) were analysed. Six (26%) had stage IA and 17 (74%) had stage IB disease. Eleven patients refused surgery and 12 patients were medically inoperable. The median follow-up was 18.9 months (range, 6.2 to 117.4). The overall survival at 2 years and 3 years was 54.7% and 24.3% respectively. The overall cause-specific survival was 57.4% at 2 years and 25.6% at 3 years. Radiological CR was obtained in 6/23 patients (26%) and the median survival was 24.8 months as compared to 20 months in patients who attained partial response (PR) or unknown response (P = 0.24). The median survival for 12 patients who received a BED(10) of > or =63.9Gy was not reached as compared to 20 months in 11 patients with BED(10) of <63.9 Gy (P = 0.03). Sixteen patients died, 14 due to disease recurrence or progression and 2 of unrelated causes. Seven patients (29.2%) remained alive. The longest surviving patient had a follow-up time of 117.4 months. Four of these 7 patients were disease-free and 3 were alive with disease (2 with bone metastases and 1 with recurrence in the primary site).
Our data are consistent with the reported literature for stage I NSCLC treated with radical radiotherapy. Patients who received a higher dose of radiation have a better outcome. The 3-year cause-specific survival of 25.6% is less than ideal and further investigations into dose escalation with modern radiotherapy techniques and perhaps the addition of chemotherapy or new targeted agents to radiation are warranted to improve the outcome.
Annals of the Academy of Medicine, Singapore 09/2007; 36(9):778-83. · 1.25 Impact Factor
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Chee-Keong Toh,
Fei Gao,
Wan-Teck Lim,
Swan-Swan Leong, Kam-Weng Fong,
Swee-Peng Yap,
Anne A L Hsu,
Philip Eng,
Heng-Nung Koong,
Agasthian Thirugnanam,
Eng-Huat Tan
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ABSTRACT: It is known that smoking increases the risk for all histological subtypes of lung cancer. To date, the factors that determine why some patients develop small-cell lung cancer (SCLC) while others develop non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) remain unknown. We compared the characteristics of 774 smokers with SCLC and NSCLC diagnosed during the period January 1999 till December 2002. Multivariate logistic regression was used to estimate the odds ratio (OR) with 95% CI. Testing of linear trend across categories of pack-years was also conducted. Six hundred and sixty-five NSCLC were compared to 109 SCLC. Among SCLC, there were significantly more females (20.2% versus 12.8%), current-smokers (81.7% versus 71.9%) as well as smokers who had smoked more than 40 pack-years (75.6% versus 50.3%). Comparing SCLC with NSCLC among the men only, having smoked more than 40 pack-years was associated with a significantly elevated odds ratio (OR) of 3.71 of developing SCLC (95% CI, 1.05-13.1; p=0.041). There was a decreasing trend in OR with increasing smoking cessation period. When comparing SCLC with adenocarcinoma, the women had a higher OR of 2.37 of developing SCLC (95% CI, 1.05-5.31; p=0.037) compared to the men. Our findings suggest that cumulative smoking exposure in terms of pack-years smoked is an important determining factor for the preferred development of SCLC among smokers.
Lung Cancer 06/2007; 56(2):161-6. · 3.43 Impact Factor
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Chee-Keong Toh,
Siew-Wan Hee,
Wan-Teck Lim,
Swan-Swan Leong, Kam-Weng Fong,
Swee-Peng Yap,
Anne A L Hsu,
Philip Eng,
Heng-Nung Koong,
Thirugnanam Agasthian,
Eng-Huat Tan
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ABSTRACT: The survival and epidemiology of small-cell lung cancer (SCLC) in Singapore has not been described. We aim to present the characteristics as well as determine the survival outcome and important prognostic factors for SCLC patients.
A retrospective analysis of SCLC patients diagnosed from 1999 to 2002 was conducted at the Outram campus, Singapore. Clinical characteristics and treatment data were obtained from case records and survival data were checked with the registry of births and deaths on 30 May 2005.
One hundred and eleven patients were analysed. There were 38 (34.2%) limited-disease (LD) patients and 73 (65.8%) extensive-disease (ED) patients. The majority were current or former smokers (94.7% among LD and 94.5% among ED). More patients with LD had good performance status (92% versus 63%, P = 0.0003) and were treated with combined chemotherapy and radiotherapy (82% versus 48%, P = 0.012). The median survival time of LD patients treated with curative chemoradiotherapy was 14.2 months (95% CI, 10.96 to 17.44). Those given prophylactic cranial irradiation had a median survival time of 16.9 months (95% CI, 11.83 to 21.97). For ED patients, the median survival time was 8.17 months (95%CI, 5.44 to 10.89). None of the factors analysed were significant prognostic factors for LD patients while performance status and type of treatment given were significant among ED patients.
We found that the characteristics and survival of SCLC patients in Singapore are fairly similar to that of other countries.
Annals of the Academy of Medicine, Singapore 04/2007; 36(3):181-8. · 1.25 Impact Factor
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Chee-Keong Toh,
Fei Gao,
Wan-Teck Lim,
Swan-Swan Leong, Kam-Weng Fong,
Swee-Peng Yap,
Anne A L Hsu,
Philip Eng,
Heng-Nung Koong,
Agasthian Thirugnanam,
Eng-Huat Tan
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ABSTRACT: Tobacco smoke is a definite causative agent for lung cancer. It is increasingly being recognized that never-smokers can be afflicted with non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC). We aim to assess survival differences between smokers and never-smokers with NSCLC.
We analyzed 975 NSCLC patients who presented from January 1999 to December 2002. Clinical characteristics among current-, former- and never-smokers were tested using chi2 or Kruskal-Wallis test. The hazard ratio (HR) for death and its 95% CI were calculated by Cox regression.
Of 975 patients, 59 had no smoking history and 33 had no quit time recorded. Of 883 patients analyzed, 286 patients (32.4%) were never-smokers. One hundred ninety-six never-smokers (68.5%) were females compared with 12% among current- and 13% among former-smokers (P < .001). There was a significant difference in histologic subtype between never-smokers and smokers: 69.9% with adenocarcinoma versus 39.9% (current-smokers) versus 47.3% (former-smokers); 5.9% with squamous cell carcinoma versus 35.7% (current-smokers) versus 28% (former-smokers; P < .001). Smokers had significantly poorer performance status (P = .002) and higher median age at diagnosis (P < .001) while more never-smokers presented with advanced disease (P = .002). Eight hundred and five patients (82.6%) died by May 30, 2005. The HR for smokers was significantly higher on both univariate and multivariate analysis (HR, 1.297; 95% CI, 1.040 to 1.619).
Never-smokers comprised a high proportion of NSCLC patients in Singapore. Definite epidemiologic differences exist between never-smokers and smokers. Differences in survival outcome further suggest that the biology underlying the pathogenesis and behavior of the disease may be different for never-smokers.
Journal of Clinical Oncology 06/2006; 24(15):2245-51. · 18.37 Impact Factor
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Joseph Wee,
Eng Huat Tan,
Bee Choo Tai,
Hwee Bee Wong,
Swan Swan Leong,
Terence Tan,
Eu Tiong Chua,
Edward Yang,
Khai Mun Lee, Kam Weng Fong,
Hoon Seng Khoo Tan,
Kim Shang Lee,
Susan Loong,
Vijay Sethi,
Eu Jin Chua,
David Machin
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ABSTRACT: The Intergroup 00-99 Trial for nasopharyngeal cancer (NPC) showed a benefit of adding chemotherapy to radiotherapy. However, there were controversies regarding the applicability of the results to patients in endemic regions. This study aims to confirm the findings of the 00-99 Trial and its applicability to patients with endemic NPC.
Between September 1997 and May 2003, 221 patients were randomly assigned to receive radiotherapy (RT) alone (n = 110) or chemoradiotherapy (CRT; n = 111). Patients in both arms received 70 Gy in 7 weeks using standard RT portals and techniques. Patients on CRT received concurrent cisplatin (25 mg/m2 on days 1 to 4) on weeks 1, 4, and 7 of RT and adjuvant cisplatin (20 mg/m2 on days 1 to 4) and fluorouracil (1,000 mg/m2 on days 1 to 4) every 4 weeks (weeks 11, 15, and 19) for three cycles after completion of RT. All patients were analyzed by intent-to-treat analysis. The median follow-up time was 3.2 years.
Distant metastasis occurred in 38 patients on RT alone and 18 patients on CRT. The difference in 2-year cumulative incidence was 17% (95% CI, 14% to 20%; P = .0029). The hazard ratio (HR) for disease-free survival was 0.57 (95% CI, 0.38 to 0.87; P = .0093). The 2- and 3-year overall survival (OS) rates were 78% and 85% and 65% and 80% for RT alone and CRT, respectively. The HR for OS was 0.51 (95% CI, 0.31 to 0.81; P = .0061).
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.
Journal of Clinical Oncology 10/2005; 23(27):6730-8. · 18.37 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: There are fundamental differences in characteristics between smokers and nonsmokers with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). We aim to study the impact of smoking status on the behavior of the disease, and to identify differences in outcome between the two groups.
A retrospective analysis was done of patients with NSCLC seen during the period from January 1999 to August 2002. Clinical characteristics, survival outcome, and response to treatment were reviewed and compared between the smokers and nonsmokers.
Department of Medical Oncology, National Cancer Center.
Of 317 patients analyzed, 117 patients (36.3%) were nonsmokers. Among the nonsmokers, 74.5% had adenocarcinoma and 73.9% were women. The smokers had poorer performance status, reported more weight loss, and had a higher mean age at diagnosis of almost 8 years than nonsmokers. One hundred eighty-seven patients (59%) had died as of December 31, 2002. The nonsmokers had a longer median survival, although this was not statistically significant. There were no statistically significant differences in survival and response to chemotherapy between the two groups after adjusting for known prognostic factors.
Despite the known differences in mutational spectra and clinical characteristics between smokers and nonsmokers with NSCLC, no differences in terms of response to chemotherapy and survival outcome were observed. This could imply that this disease is equally aggressive in these two groups. More research is needed to further delineate and characterize the differences between these two etiologically different forms of NSCLC.
Chest 01/2005; 126(6):1750-6. · 5.25 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: Combined-modality treatment is considered standard of care in the treatment of stage III non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC). This study was designed to assess the efficacy and tolerability of induction paclitaxel/carboplatin followed by concurrent thoracic radiotherapy and weekly paclitaxel.
Patients with unresectable stage III NSCLC were treated prospectively with two cycles of paclitaxel (175 mg/m2) and carboplatin (area under the curve of 6) followed by radiotherapy (60-66 Gy) concurrent with 6 weekly doses of paclitaxel (60 mg/m2). Response was determined 8 weeks after the completion of treatment and treatment-related toxicities were assessed at each visit during treatment and follow-up.
Sixty-three patients were treated, 5 had complete response and 33 had partial response, giving a response rate of 60%. Thirty-seven percent of patients developed grade 3 or 4 neutropenia; 48% had significant esophagitis requiring the use of narcotic analgesics. Two patients developed esophageal stricture subsequently. The median survival was 51 months and 12 months for stage IIIA and IIIB patients, respectively. Progression-free survival was 16 months and 11 months respectively.
The response rate was encouraging. Esophagitis was a significant morbidity and should prompt modification of treatment regimen, either in the chemotherapy schedule or by adjusting the radiotherapy treatment planning.
Respiratory Medicine 12/2004; 98(11):1080-6. · 2.47 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: To analyze the results of concurrent chemoradiotherapy in patients with locoregional recurrent nasopharyngeal carcinoma.
We performed a retrospective analysis of 35 patients with locoregional recurrent nasopharyngeal carcinoma referred to our department between March 1994 and November 2002. Most patients were male (77%), Chinese (97%), and had undifferentiated carcinoma (89%). Most had extensive locally recurrent Stage rT3-T4 disease (66%) with a median age at recurrence of 49 years (range, 35-69 years). A repeat course of radiotherapy was given concurrently with cisplatin, with cisplatin/5-fluorouracil as consolidation treatment. Significant morbidities were present, including cranial nerve palsies due to extensive recurrent local disease before treatment of the recurrence.
The response rate to concurrent chemoradiotherapy was 58% (29% complete response and 29% partial response). The 5-year progression-free and overall survival rate, calculated using the Kaplan-Meier method, was 15% and 26%, respectively. Only 3 patients developed systemic metastases. Grade 3-4 acute toxicities included emesis (9%) and neutropenia (14%), and Grade 3-4 late toxicities consisted of temporal lobe necrosis (3%), cranial neuropathy (6%), and endocrine abnormalities (14%).
Concurrent chemoradiotherapy is feasible in a selected group of patients with locoregional recurrent NPC, but the risk of major late toxicities is significant.
International Journal of Radiation OncologyBiologyPhysics 09/2004; 59(5):1312-8. · 4.11 Impact Factor
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Swan Swan Leong,
Eng Huat Tan, Kam Weng Fong,
Einar Wilder-Smith,
Yew Kwang Ong,
Bee Choo Tai,
Lita Chew,
Shih Hui Lim,
Joseph Wee,
Khai Mun Lee,
Kian Fong Foo,
Peter Ang,
Peng Tiam Ang
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ABSTRACT: Greater toxicities have been recognized to be a consequence of combined chemotherapy and radiotherapy in the treatment of locally advanced non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC). This study was designed to determine if the use of amifostine could reduce treatment-related toxicities associated with the use of paclitaxel plus carboplatin and thoracic radiotherapy.
Sixty patients with unresectable stage III NSCLC were treated with two cycles of paclitaxel 175 mg/m2 and carboplatin (area under the time-concentration curve = 6), followed by thoracic radiotherapy (64 Gy) with concurrent weekly paclitaxel 60 mg/m2. Patients were randomly assigned to receive 740 mg/m2 of amifostine (arm A) or placebo (arm B) before each dose of paclitaxel and carboplatin. Treatment-related toxicities were evaluated at each visit and nerve conduction tests were performed before and after treatment for the objective assessment of neurotoxicity.
There was no significant difference between arms A and B in grade 3 to 4 neutropenia. In all 72 neurophysiological parameters measured, there was no significant difference between the two treatment arms, although there was a trend toward fewer patients showing deterioration in arm A for six of the parameters. Grade 2 to 3 esophagitis occurred in 43% of patients in arm A and in 70% of patients in arm B. The difference of -27% (95% confidence limit = -50%, 0.4%) was not statistically significant. Response rates and survival were also not significantly different between the two arms.
Pretreatment with amifostine showed a trend toward reducing the severity of esophagitis associated with concurrent chemoradiotherapy, but it did not reach statistical significance. There was no significant protective effect on hematologic or neurologic toxicities induced by paclitaxel and carboplatin.
Journal of Clinical Oncology 06/2003; 21(9):1767-74. · 18.37 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: Treatment of locoregionally recurrent nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) is challenging because of prior radiotherapy, morbidities from disease recurrence, and limited therapeutic options available.
A retrospective study of patients with locoregionally recurrent NPC.
Between March 1994 and December 1999, there were 42 patients; most were Chinese (98%) men (81%) with undifferentiated NPC (86%). A repeat course of radiotherapy was feasible in 20 patients and given concurrently with cisplatin followed by adjuvant cisplatin/5-fluorouracil (PF) (group 1). The remaining 22 (group 2) received palliative chemotherapy (PF) with a response rate of 50%. Significant morbidities resulted from cranial nerve palsies. The 2-year progression-free survival of patients in group 1 was expectedly better (58% vs 38%). Six (14%) developed systemic metastases at 12 months (median) from first recurrence.
Concurrent chemoradiotherapy for locoregional recurrent NPC seems promising. The morbidity experienced resulted from locoregional disease with few progressing to develop systemic involvement.
Head & Neck 07/2002; 24(6):549-54. · 2.40 Impact Factor
