Efficacy and toxicity of concurrent chemoradiotherapy in patients with advanced oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma.

Purpose: The aim of this study was to evaluate the feasibility and toxicity of concurrent chemoradiotherapy (CCRT) with docetaxel, cisplatin (CDDP) and 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) (TPF regimen) or with CDDP, 5-FU, methotrexate and leucovorin (PFML regimen) in previously untreated patients with advanced oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (SCC).

Methods: Fifty-six eligible patients with stage III or IV oropharyngeal SCC were treated with CCRT. Forty-four patients were men and 12 were women, and the average age of the patients was 58.8 years (range, 37-72 years). In the TPF group, patients received CCRT with the TPF regimen [docetaxel (50 mg/m(2), day 1), CDDP (60 mg/m(2), day 4) and a continuous 5-FU infusion (600 mg/m(2)/day, days 1-5)]. In the PFML group, patients received CCRT with the PFML regimen [CDDP (60 mg/m(2), day 4), a continuous 5-FU infusion (600 mg/m(2)/day, days 1-5), methotrexate (30 mg/m(2), day 1) and leucovorin (10 mg/m(2)/day, days 1-5)]. The total radiation dose was between 66.6 and 70.2 Gy.

Results: The overall 5-year survival rate was 64.6% in all patients, 68.6% in the resectable group and 47.4% in the unresectable group. The 5-year disease-specific survival rate was 72.2% in all patients, 78.1% in the resectable group and 47.7% in the unresectable group. Regarding clinical stage, the 5-year disease-specific survival rates were 91% in stage III, 72% in stage IVa and 44% in stage IVb.

Conclusion: CCRT with TPF or PFML regimen for advanced oropharyngeal SCC is tolerable and effective, especially in patients with resectable disease.