Long-term results of a prospective multicenter phase II study to preserve the larynx function using concomitant boost radiochemotherapy with Carboplatin.

Purpose: This prospective phase II study was undertaken to assess the feasibility of a larynx preservation protocol with simultaneous radiochemotherapy.

Patients And Methods: Between 3/1998 and 10/2000, 42 patients with moderately advanced cancer of the larynx (n=25) and hypopharynx (n=17) eligible for total laryngectomy (LE) were treated in a prospective larynx preservation study. The study protocol scheduled 66Gy in 5 weeks using a concomitant boost technique and 70mg/m(2) Carboplatin on days 1-5 in weeks 1 and 5.

Efficacy of intensified hyperfractionated and accelerated radiotherapy and concurrent chemotherapy with carboplatin and 5-fluorouracil: updated results of a randomized multicentric trial in advanced head-and-neck cancer.

Purpose: To prove an expected benefit of concurrent radiochemotherapy (RCT), a two-arm randomized multicentric study was performed. In a subgroup analysis the influence of pretherapeutical hemoglobin level (p-Hb) on survival under locoregional control (SLC) was tested.

Patients And Methods: The study included primarily untreated Stage III/IV (International Union Against Cancer [UICC]) oropharyngeal and hypopharyngeal carcinomas.

[Organ preservation in advanced laryngeal and hypopharyngeal carcinoma by primary radiochemotherapy. Results of a multicenter phase II study].

Introduction: Regarding the promising results of international trials we conducted the first German prospective multicentre phase II trial for organ preservation with primary simultaneous chemoradiation in advanced laryngeal and hypopharyngeal cancer.

Patients And Methods: 28 of 30 recruited patients suffering from stage II and III (UICC) laryngeal and hypopharyngeal cancer were treated with primary simultaneous chemoradiation within an organ preservation program and monitored in follow-up of one year. Exclusion criteria included tumor infiltration of the laryngeal cartilage, bilateral neck nodes (N2c) and need for flap reconstruction in case of laryngectomy.

Intensified hyperfractionated accelerated radiotherapy limits the additional benefit of simultaneous chemotherapy--results of a multicentric randomized German trial in advanced head-and-neck cancer.

Purpose: To demonstrate the efficacy of radiochemotherapy (RCT) as the first choice of treatment for advanced unresectable head-and-neck cancer. To prove an expected benefit of simultaneously given chemotherapy, a two-arm randomized study with hyperfractionated accelerated radiochemotherapy (HF-ACC-RCT) vs. hyperfractionated accelerated radiotherapy (HF-ACC-RT) was initiated.

[Incidence of salivary fistulas in relation to timing of oral nutrition after laryngectomy].

Background And Objective: A pharyngocutaneous fistula is the most common complication after total laryngectomy. In Germany, a traditional recommendation is to use a nasogastric tube for feeding for 10-14 days postoperatively because many surgeons believe that oral feeding after surgery contributes to fistula development. However, there is no international agreement about when to begin oral feeding after total laryngectomy.