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Comparison of hyperfractionation and conventional fractionation radiotherapy with concurrent docetaxel, cisplatin and 5-fluorouracil (TPF) chemotherapy in patients with locally advanced squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck (SCCHN)

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Abstract

Purpose

Radiotherapy (RTx) has been considered as the treatment for locally advanced squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck (SCCHN). However, with only conventional fractionation (Cfx), response rates are relatively low. In this study, we report the results of hyperfractionation (Hfx) RTx with concurrent docetaxel, cisplatin and 5-fluorouracil (TPF) chemotherapy (CTx) in patients with locally advanced SCCHN and compare Hfx and Cfx RTx with concurrent TPF CTx.

Methods

Fifty patients with previously untreated stage III–IV SCCHN were entered into this study. Eligible patients received RTx delivered using arm 1: Hfx at 1.2 Gy/fraction, twice daily, 5 days/week to 76.8 Gy/64 fractions, and arm 2: Cfx at 2 Gy/fraction/day, 5 days/week to 70 Gy/35 fractions. Patients received 2 cycles CTx every 4 weeks. The doses were docetaxel 50 mg/m2 (day 1), cisplatin 60 mg/m2 (day 4), and 5-FU 600 mg/m2/day (days 1–5).

Results

The overall clinical response rate and the pathological CR were 100% (25/25) and 84% (21/25) in arm 1, and 100% (25/25) and 80% (20/25) in arm 2. Local–regional control was better significant in arm 1 than arm 2 (P = 0.048). There were also trend toward improved disease-free survival (P = 0.059) and overall survival (P = 0.078) in arm 1. Mucositis was significantly more frequent in arm 1 (P = 0.048).

Conclusion

There were trend toward improved local–regional control, disease-free survival and overall survival in Hfx RTx with concurrent TPF CTx, compared to Cfx RTx with concurrent TPF CTx.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Otolaryngology, Yokohama City Minato Red Cross Hospital, 3-12-1 Shin-Yamashita, Naka-ku, Yokohama, 231-8682, Japan

    Hideaki Katori

  2. Department of Otolaryngology, Yokohama City University Medical Center, 4-57 Urafune-chou, Minami-ku, Yokohama, 232-0024, Japan

    Hideaki Katori

  3. Department of Otolaryngology, Yokohama City University School of Medicine, 3-9 Fukuura, Kanazawa-ku, Yokohama, 236-0004, Japan

    Mamoru Tsukuda

  4. Department of Radiology, Yokohama City University School of Medicine Medical Center, 4-57 Urafune-chou, Minami-ku, Yokohama, 232-0024, Japan

    Kiichi Watai

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  1. Hideaki Katori
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  2. Mamoru Tsukuda
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  3. Kiichi Watai
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Correspondence to Hideaki Katori.

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Katori, H., Tsukuda, M. & Watai, K. Comparison of hyperfractionation and conventional fractionation radiotherapy with concurrent docetaxel, cisplatin and 5-fluorouracil (TPF) chemotherapy in patients with locally advanced squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck (SCCHN). Cancer Chemother Pharmacol 60, 399–406 (2007). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00280-006-0370-y

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00280-006-0370-y

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