[Induction therapy of locally-advanced nasophayngeal cancer].

Vopr Onkol 57(2):225-31 (2011) PMID 21809670

Unlike most head and neck tumors, nasophayngeal cancer (NPC) is characterized by such ep-idemiological and histological features as massive lympho- and hematogenic metastasizing and enhanced sensitivity to conservative therapy. More than 80% of diagnosed tumors are grade III-IV and, therefore, are more resistant to irradiation; they have a worse prognosis. Our method of induction chemotherapy (docetaxel, doxorubicin, cisplatin) was used in treating 50 patients with locally-advanced NPC: complete response--88% (44) [complete resorption--48% (24)]. Lymphadenectomy was carried out in 12 cases of primary metastatic lesions N2-3 in the elymph nodes of the neck on completion of all stages of combined (induction + radiation) therapy. Metastases to the regional lymph nodes were detected in 10 patients.