Weekly 5-fluorouracil plus cisplatin for concurrent chemoradiotherapy in patients with locally advanced head and neck cancer.

Background: In locally advanced head and neck cancer, concurrent chemoradiotherapy (CRT) with combined 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) and cisplatin has increased acute toxicities as well as survival. Once-weekly chemotherapeutic administration schedule may reduce severe toxicities. Thus, we investigated CRT using weekly administration of 5-FU-cisplatin in locally advanced head and neck cancer.

Methods: In a single-arm, phase II study, CRT included radiation (70.0 Gy/35 fr) and weekly 5-FU (750 mg/m2) and cisplatin (20 mg/m2).

Results: Thirty-two patients completed planned radiation. Thirteen (41%) achieved complete response, and 16 (50%) partial response. Twelve patients (38%) experienced acute grade 3 toxicities. Grade 3 mucositis, which was the most common toxicity, developed in 5 (16%) patients. The survival rates at 1 and 2 years were 81% and 76%, respectively. The progression-free survival rates at 1 and 2 years were 69% and 66%, respectively.

Conclusions: We demonstrated weekly 5-FU-cisplatin with conventional radiotherapy was efficacious and feasible with high compliance rate in locally advanced head and neck cancer.