Advanced Squamous Cell Carcinoma (advanced + squamous_cell_carcinoma)

Distribution by Scientific Domains


Selected Abstracts


Particle beam radiotherapy for head and neck tumors: Radiobiological basis and clinical experience

HEAD & NECK: JOURNAL FOR THE SCIENCES & SPECIALTIES OF THE HEAD AND NECK, Issue 8 2006
Barbara Alicja Jereczek-Fossa MD
Abstract Background. Head and neck tumors are often located near critical organs, making it impossible to deliver a dose of conventional radiotherapy high enough to eradicate the disease. Our aim was to review the potential benefits and available clinical experience of particle beam therapy (hadrontherapy) in the treatment of these tumors. Methods. A review of the literature was carried out through a MEDLINE search (publications between 1980 and 2005). Results. A review of the available clinical data shows that particle beam therapy can offer several radiobiological and physical advantages over conventional photon radiotherapy: improved dose distribution permits dose escalation within the target and optimal sparing of normal tissue. Preclinical and clinical studies suggest that there may be benefits to using hadrontherapy for tumors characterized by poor radiosensitivity and critical location. At present, the most used hadrons are protons and, as yet on an experimental basis, carbon ions. It is now well accepted that there are certain indications for using proton therapy for skull base tumors (chordoma and chondrosarcoma), paranasal sinus carcinomas, selected nasopharyngeal tumors, and neutron/ion therapy for salivary gland carcinomas (in particular, adenoid cystic tumors). Its viability in other cases, such as locally advanced squamous cell carcinoma, melanoma, soft tissue sarcoma, and bone sarcoma, is still under investigation. Conclusions. Hadrontherapy can be beneficial in the treatment of tumors characterized by poor radiosensitivity and critical location. Further clinical and radiobiological studies are warranted for improved selection of patient population. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Head Neck, 2006 [source]


Concomitant low-dose cisplatin and three-dimensional conformal radiotherapy for locally advanced squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck: Analysis of survival and toxicity,

HEAD & NECK: JOURNAL FOR THE SCIENCES & SPECIALTIES OF THE HEAD AND NECK, Issue 3 2006
Harold Lau MD
Abstract Background. Our center sought to implement a simple chemoradiotherapy schedule for patients with locally advanced squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck (SCCHN) with minimal toxicity to achieve rates of overall survival comparable to other schedules. Methods. The chemoradiotherapy schedule consisted of daily radiation to 70 Gy over 7 weeks with concurrent cisplatin 20 mg/m2 during days 1 to 4 of weeks 1 and 5. Acute and late toxicities were recorded according to the Radiation Therapy Oncology Group (RTOG) and common toxicity criteria (CTC) grading. The overall, disease-specific, and locoregional recurrence,free survival were calculated using the STATA statistics package. Possible factors influencing these endpoints were analyzed. Results. Fifty-seven patients were treated, and 56 patients were evaluable for follow-up. Median follow-up of alive patients was 16.1 months. There was an 82% complete response rate to chemoradiotherapy. The 2-year Kaplan,Meier overall, disease-specific, and locoregional recurrence,free survival rates were 62%, 67%, and 63%. Acute grade 3 and 4 radiation toxicity was noted in 61% and 2%, respectively. Grade 3 or 4 hematologic toxicity was noted in 7% of patients. Factors influencing overall survival included: Karnofsky performance status, receiving more than 50% of planned chemotherapy, age, and initial hemoglobin level. Conclusion. This regimen is tolerable and achieves overall survival and locoregional control rates comparable to other chemoradiotherapy schedules. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Head Neck27: XXX,XXX, 2005 [source]


Pilot trial of concomitant chemotherapy with paclitaxel and split-course radiotherapy for very advanced squamous cell carcinoma of head and neck,

HEAD & NECK: JOURNAL FOR THE SCIENCES & SPECIALTIES OF THE HEAD AND NECK, Issue 3 2002
Olavo Feher MD
Abstract Purpose The combination of chemotherapy and irradiation is considered the standard of care for the treatment of advanced squamous cell carcinoma of head and neck (SCCHN). Paclitaxel has shown a single-agent activity in SCCHN. Besides, this drug is a promising radiosensitizer for some human solid tumors. This is a phase II trial to evaluate the feasibility, efficacy, and toxicity of paclitaxel administered concurrently with split-course radiotherapy in advanced unresectable SCCHN. Methods and Materials Thirty-one patients with advanced SCCHN were enrolled in this trial. Radiotherapy consisted of 66 to 70 Gy delivered over 8 to 10 weeks to the primary tumor and lymphatic drainage, with a fractionation scheme of 1.8 to 2 Gy/field/d. After the initial five patients were treated, a 1-week treatment break was introduced. Paclitaxel was administered weekly in a 1-hour intravenous infusion at a projected dosage of 45 mg/m2/wk. Results The complete and partial response rates, based on a 4-week postradiation evaluation were 43.3% and 40%, respectively, with an overall response rate of 83.3%. Median survival was 49.4 weeks, and 1-year survival was 48%. Freedom from local progression was 65.6% at 1 year. Thirty-six percent and 20% of the patients are alive and disease free at 1 and 2 years, respectively. Grade 3/4 of acute toxicity consisted mostly of mucositis, cutaneous reaction, and weight loss. Conclusions Paclitaxel concurrent with radiotherapy seems to be active in squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck. In the regimen selected for this trial, toxicity was significant and led to a prolongation of treatment time. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Head Neck 24: 228,235, 2002; DOI 10.1002/hed.10049 [source]


Phase II study of induction chemotherapy with paclitaxel, ifosfamide, and carboplatin (TIC) for patients with locally advanced squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck

CANCER, Issue 6 2003
Robert Haddad M.D.
No abstract is available for this article. [source]


Phase II study of induction chemotherapy with paclitaxel, ifosfamide, and carboplatin (TIC) for patients with locally advanced squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck

CANCER, Issue 2 2002
Dong M. Shin M.D.
Abstract BACKGROUND This Phase II trial was conducted to determine the response rate, particularly of the primary sites, tolerability, and toxicity of induction chemotherapy of paclitaxel, ifosfamide, and carboplatin for patients with previously untreated locally advanced squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck (SCCHN). We also hypothesized that improved complete response (CR) rates with the induction chemotherapy may render better survival rates with subsequently delivered definitive local treatment. METHODS All eligible patients with locally advanced SCCHN received two courses of induction chemotherapy and underwent repeated head and neck examination and computed tomography or magnetic resonance imaging scans. If the patients achieved responses (CR or partial [PR]), they received two more courses of chemotherapy before undergoing definitive local treatment. Induction chemotherapy consisted of paclitaxel (T; 175 mg/m2 in a 3-hour infusion) on Day 1, ifosfamide (I; 1000 mg/m2 in a 2-hour infusion) on Days 1,3 with intravenous mesna (200 mg/m2 before and 400 mg/m2 after ifosfamide), and carboplatin (C) using the Calvert formula for the area under the plasma concentration-versus-time curve of 6 on Day 1, repeated every 3,4 weeks. Prophylactic hematopoietic growth factors or antibiotics were not used in this study. Definitive local treatment was given based on the investigators' preference. RESULTS Fifty-four patients were registered and 52 patients were assessable for response to induction chemotherapy; 2 were not evaluable. After four courses of induction chemotherapy, the CR rates of the primary and lymph node sites were 60%, and 41%, respectively. For both primary and lymph node sites, there were 31% CRs and 50% PRs with an overall response rate of 81%. Five (9%) patients developed neutropenic fever, all of whom recovered with antibiotic therapy. Two (4%) patients had infection without neutropenia and recovered without any complication. Grade 3/4 thrombocytopenia and anemia occurred in three (6%) and four (7%) patients, respectively. Grade 3/4 fatigue developed in four (7%), arthralgia/myalgia in two (4%), peripheral neuropathy in two (4%), and orthostatic hypotension in two (4%) patients. One patient died of severe anaphylaxis although a maximized resuscitation effort was made. With a median follow-up of 22 months, the organ preservation rate was about 81% (42 of 52 patients). Although survival rates were not primary end points in this study, with a median follow-up of 22 months, 43 (83%) patients are still alive. Overall 1 and 2-year survival rates were 88% and 82%, respectively. Disease-free 1 and 2-year survival rates were 88% and 77% respectively. CONCLUSIONS TIC induction chemotherapy is associated with a high CR rate at the primary sites and with excellent survival and organ preservations rates with subsequently delivered definitive local therapy. The regimen was also well tolerated in the majority of patients. The TIC regimen should be developed further in the context of induction chemotherapy followed by concomitant chemoradiotherapy or with specific molecular targeted agents. Cancer 2002;95:322,30. © 2002 American Cancer Society. DOI 10.1002/cncr.10661 [source]