Evaluation of the efficacy of concurrent cisplatin and radiotherapy in locally advanced head and neck cancer

Abstract EN

Concurrent radiotherapy and chemotherapy is the promising approach for local control of advanced head and neck malignancy .

thirty six patients locally advanced unresectable head and neck squamous cell carcinoma were included in the study.

All patients received radiotherapy by cobalt 60 machine they received 70 Gy to the tumour area In 35 fraction 7 weeks and Gy to the uninvolved cervical and supraclavicular LN in 25 fractions, 5 weeks duration (Cisplatin) CDDP was infused in 3 hours and 1/2 hour before radiotherapy.

The dose of CDDP was 20-mg/m 2 from day I to five, day 22 to 26 and 43 to 47.

Antiemetic was used in all cases Patients were evaluated for response 3weeks after completion of Irradiation and every month for 6 months then every 5 months.

Assessment of the response to treatment showed that the overall response was 75% [22 patients (61%) completed remission (CR) and 5 patients (14%) partial remission (PR)].

Six patients showed stationary course and 5 patients Showed disease- progression (I'/H and Acme tonicity was tolerable and there was no treatment interruption occurred The most frequent toxicity was vomiting GI in 21 patients (58%).

stomatitis Oil w 17 patients (47%).

dryness of the mouth Gll m 23 patients (64%) Finally the result of concurrent radio-und chemotherapy is encouraging and large number of patient and long time follow up is needed to assess the improvement in survival