Management of unresectable malignant tumors at the skull base using concomitant chemotherapy and radiotherapy with accelerated fractionation Journal Article


Authors: Harrison, L. B.; Pfister, D. G.; Kraus, D.; Armstrong, J. G.; Zelefsky, M. J.; Wiseberg, J.; Bosl, G. J.; Strong, E. W.; Shah, J. P.
Article Title: Management of unresectable malignant tumors at the skull base using concomitant chemotherapy and radiotherapy with accelerated fractionation
Abstract: Between January 1988 and June 1992, 20 patients with unresectable malignant tumors at the skull base were treated. Eleven had T4 lesions of the paranasal sinus/cavity complex, and 9 had T4 nasopharynx cancer. All patients had stage IV disease by the American Joint Committee on Staging Criteria. The histology was squamous cell cancer in 15 patients and other minor salivary gland histologies in 5. There was brain and/or dural invasion in 11 patients and orbital invasion in 9. All patients received radiation therapy with accelerated fractionation to a total of 70 Gy in 6 weeks. Concomitant cisplatin (100 Mg/M2) was given on days 1 and 22 of radiation. Seven patients received mitomycin C (7.5 Mg/M2) on days 1 and 22, plus adjuvant chemotherapy with cisplatin and vinblastine. Median follow-up was 11 (range: 1 to 43) months. At 2 years, local progression-free survival was 94%, distant metastases-free survival was 57%, and overall survival was 80%. Complications occurred in 20% and caused the death of 1 patient. Treatment of this group of patients with aggressive chemotherapy and radiation therapy produced excellent local control in our early experience, but longer follow-up is needed. There is a high rate of distant failure. Future strategies are outlined.
Keywords: survival; cisplatin; chemotherapy; irradiation; nasopharynx; squamous-cell carcinoma; radiation-therapy; neck-cancer; adjuvant; head; alternating chemotherapy
Journal Title: Skull Base Surgery
Volume: 4
Issue: 3
ISSN: 1052-1453
Publisher: Thieme Publishing  
Date Published: 1994-07-01
Start Page: 127
End Page: 131
Language: English
ACCESSION: WOS:A1994PB36100003
DOI: 10.1055/s-2008-1058963
PROVIDER: wos
PMCID: PMC1661798
PUBMED: 17171161
Notes: Source: Wos
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MSK Authors
  1. Michael J Zelefsky
    754 Zelefsky
  2. Dennis Kraus
    268 Kraus
  3. David G Pfister
    389 Pfister
  4. Jatin P Shah
    721 Shah
  5. George Bosl
    430 Bosl
  6. Elliot W Strong
    97 Strong
  7. Louis B Harrison
    123 Harrison