Chemotherapy for Recurrent Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma
Author Information
Author(s): V. Gebbial, G. Zerillo, G. Restivo, R. Speciale, G. Cupido, P. Lo Bue, F. Ingria, S. Gallina, G. Spatafora, A. Testa, G. Cannata, A. Cimino, N. Gebbial
Primary Institution: University of Palermo
Hypothesis
What is the effectiveness of cisplatin-based chemotherapy in treating recurrent and/or metastatic nasopharyngeal carcinoma?
Conclusion
Cisplatin-based chemotherapy shows a 64% overall response rate in treating recurrent nasopharyngeal carcinoma, but the duration of response and survival remain unsatisfactory.
Supporting Evidence
- Overall response rate was 64%, with 20.5% complete responses and 43.5% partial responses.
- Mean survival of the whole group was 11.4+ months.
- Four patients were alive after 2 years of follow-up.
- Patients with complete or partial responses had a longer mean survival of 14.7+ months.
Takeaway
Doctors looked at 40 patients with a type of throat cancer and found that a special medicine helped many of them, but it didn't work for a long time.
Methodology
Retrospective analysis of 40 cases treated with cisplatin-based chemotherapy, evaluating response and toxicity.
Potential Biases
Potential bias due to non-random selection of patients.
Limitations
The study is retrospective and may have selection bias.
Participant Demographics
Majority were males (31 out of 40), mean age was 58.8 years.
Statistical Information
Confidence Interval
95% confidence limits, 49% to 79%
Statistical Significance
p<0.05
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