Concurrent Chemoradiotherapy with Docetaxel, Cisplatin and 5-Fluorouracil (TPF) in Patients with Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma

Background/Aim: Several randomized trials have shown that concurrent chemoradiotherapy (CCRT) either with or without adjuvant chemotherapy is more effective than radiotherapy-alone for treating nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC). The present study retrospectively evaluated the efficacy and toxicity of CCRT with docetaxel, cisplatin, and 5-fluorouracil (TPF) chemotherapy in patients with NPC. Patients and Methods: The study regimen consisted of two cycles of TPF chemotherapy [docetaxel (90 mg/m(2)), cisplatin (60 mg/m(2)), and continuous 5-fluorouracil (600 mg/m(2)/day: 5 days)] during definitive radiotherapy. Radiotherapy was performed 5 days a week with a single daily fraction of 1.8 or 2.0 Gy totalling to 70-Gy doses. A total of 24 patients with NPC were enrolled and evaluated. Results: Treatment completion rate was 70.8%, with an overall response rate of 100%. The 5-year overall survival rate was 82.4%, and 5-year progression-free survival rate was 78.3%. Conclusion: CCRT with TPF resulted in excellent survival rates for patients with NPC.