[A comparison of two modalities of complex chemoradiotherapy for locally advanced nasopharyngeal carcinoma]

Two modalities of complex chemoradiotherapy for locally advanced nasopharyngeal carcinoma stage III-IV were compared in the treatment of 52 patients. Thirty-four patients (group I) received polychemotherapy: cisplatin--100 mg/sq.m, i.v., dropwise, on day 4, plus ACOP (adriamycin 35 mg/sq.m, i.v.--4; cyclophosphamide 750 mg/sq.m, i.v.--4, day 1; vincristine 1.4 mg/sq.m, i.v.--4, and prednisolone 100 mg/sq.m, per os, days 1-5; group II (18)--cisplatin 100 mg/sq.m, day 4, plus 5-FU 1,000 mg, i.v.--4, injection, days 1-3. Full response was registered in 93.7% (group I) and 93.3% (group II). Overall 5-year and relapse-free survival was 85 and 63% (group I), and 83 and 56% (group II), respectively. There were no significant differences in radiation-related injury incidence in both groups. The best results were reported with chemoradiotherapy using two courses: an induction one and an adjuvant cisplatin drugs treatment concurrent with ACOP or 5-FU.