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The clinical effects of concurrent radiochemotherapy in cases suffered from stages III to IVa nasopharyngeal carcinoma

  • Published:
The Chinese-German Journal of Clinical Oncology

Abstract

Objective

The aim of the study was to investigate the clinical effects of concurrent radiochemotherapy in treating locally advanced (Stages III–IVa) nasopharyngeal carcinomas (NPCs).

Methods

A total of 95 patients who suffered from nasopharyngeal carcinoma (Stages III–IVa) was divided into two groups: Group concurrent radiochemotherapy (Group CCRT, n = 49) and Group radiotherapy (Group RT, n = 46). The two groups were both delivered conventional fractionated radiotherapy, while Group CCRT was delivered three cycles chemotherapy of PF (DDP + 5-Fu) regimen or PLF (DDP + 5-Fu + CF) regimen.

Results

The complete remission rate and total remission rate of Group CCRT were higher than those of Group RT, and the differences were of statistical importance (χ2 = 4.72–7.19, P < 0.05). The one-year overall survival (OS) rate was calculated by life table method, in Group CCRT, it was higher than that of Group RT and the difference was of statistical importance (χ2 = 4.24, P š 0.05). The 3-year overall survival (OS) rate, nasopharyngeal control rate and cervical lymph nodes’ control rate of Group CCRT were all higher than those of Group RT and the differences were of statistical importance (χ2 = 4.28–4.40, P < 0.05). The 5-year overall survival (OS) rate and metastasis-free rate of Group CCRT were higher than those of Group RT and the differences were of statistical importance (χ2 = 3.96–8.26, P < 0.05). The incidence rates of acute toxicities in Group CCRT were obviously higher than those in Group RT, and the difference of gastrointestinal reaction was of statistical importance (χ2 = 11.70, P < 0.05).

Conclusion

This study has demonstrated that concurrent radiochemotherapy can improve the remission rate, overall survival rate and locally control rate. The toxicities of concurrent radiochemotherapy can be tolerated by the patients.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Oncology, The Affiliated Hospital of Medical College, Qingdao University, Qingdao, 266003, China

    Hongsheng Yu, Wei Zhang & Li Yu

Authors
  1. Hongsheng Yu
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  2. Wei Zhang
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  3. Li Yu
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Correspondence to Hongsheng Yu.

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Yu, H., Zhang, W. & Yu, L. The clinical effects of concurrent radiochemotherapy in cases suffered from stages III to IVa nasopharyngeal carcinoma. Chin. -Ger. J. Clin. Oncol. 10, 683–686 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10330-011-0878-4

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10330-011-0878-4

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