[Effects of concurrent chemoradiation therapy in three cases of nasopharyngeal cancer]

Nasopharyngeal cancer has an abundance of lymphatic tissues, and is therefore frequently associated with cervical and distant metastases. Most cases with nasopharyngeal cancer have poorly-differentiated squamous cell carcinomas or undifferentiated carcinomas, for which radiotherapy alone or a combination of radiotherapy and chemotherapy has been reported to be effective. However, under the present circumstances, even if the primary focus is controlled, distant metastases appear early and worsen the treatment outcomes. In this report, we present the results of concurrent chemoradiation therapy(CCRT) administered to three cases of nasopharyngeal cancer at our department. In terms of treatment outcomes, two of the three patients who had undergone CCRT showed no relapse of the primary focus, but distant metastases appeared in early stages and worsened their survival outcomes. Currently in our department, S-1 and nedaplatin have been used as chemotherapy agents at rather high dosages. It may be difficult to control the distant metastases just by strengthening the impact of our regimen. A new treatment modality with novel drugs would be required in the future. Further studies on novel prophylactics and treatment methods for distant metastases are expected.