Quality of life assessment in radiotherapy patients by WHOQOL-BREF-THAI: a feasibility study.

Objective: To determine the feasibility and sensitivity of the WHOQOL-BREF-THAI assessment tool in measuring the quality of life in cancer patients treated with radiotherapy in routine clinical practice.

Method: A cross-sectional analytical study including the consecutive radiotherapy patients at Songklanagarind Hospital from October to December 2000 was conducted. The participants completed a Thai version of the brief form of the WHO quality of life assessment instrument (WHOQOL-BREF-THAI).

Combination chemotherapy as induction therapy for advanced resectable head and neck cancer.

Fifty-four previously untreated patients with locally advanced resectable squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck (SCCHN) were enrolled into a prospective randomized controlled trial to evaluate whether induction chemotherapy improves the disease-free survival compared to the standard treatment (surgery + radiation). Thirty patients received chemotherapy, which consisted of cisplatin 20 mg/m2 day 1-5, bleomycin 10 mg/m2, continuous infusion from day 3-7, and methotrexate 40 mg/m2 given on day 15 and day 22. The cycle was repeated on day 29 for two cycles.

Induction chemotherapy in the treatment of patients with carcinoma of the esophagus.

A prospective randomized phase III trial was carried out at Songklanagarind Hospital from August 1988 to December 1990. The objectives of the study were to evaluate the effect of chemotherapy regimen in squamous cell carcinoma of the esophagus and to determine whether induction chemotherapy improves symptom-free period and survival in these patients compared to surgical treatment alone. Twenty-four patients were randomized to receive 2 cycles of chemotherapy, cis-platinum 100 mg/m2 intravenously on day 1, bleomycin 10 mg/m2 loading dose on day 3, followed by 10 mg/m2/day continuous intravenous infusion on days 4 through 7, and vinblastine 3 mg/m2 given intravenously on days 1, 8, 15, 22.

Cisplatinum-epirubicin chemotherapy for advanced unresectable squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck.

Twenty-seven patients with locally advanced unresectable squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck were offered three courses of cisplatinum and epirubicin. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of this chemotherapy regimen. Subsequent therapy included surgery when feasible and/or radiation therapy.