Yonsei Med J.  2001 Feb;42(1):55-64. 10.3349/ymj.2001.42.1.55.

Hyperfractionated re-irradiation using a 3-dimensional conformal technique for locally recurrent carcinoma of the nasopharynx; preliminary results

• Cho JH
• Kim GE
• Cho KH
• Lee CG
• Kim YB
• Lee SW
• Keum KC
• Suh CO

• KMID: 720588
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.3349/ymj.2001.42.1.55

Abstract

To evaluate the efficacy of hyperfractionated re-irradiation using a three-dimensional conformal radiotherapy (3-D CRT) technique in patients with locally recurrent carcinoma of the nasopharynx. Four patients with locally recurrent nasopharyngeal cancer were retreated with a hyperfractionated schedule using a 3-D CRT technique. Re-irradiation was delivered in 1.1-1.2 Gy fractions twice per day (BID), with interfraction intervals of more than 6 hours. The total dose ranged from 59.4 to 69.2 Gy. A 3-D CRT technique with 5- or 6-field coplanar and/or non-coplanar beams were employed during the entire treatment procedure. All four patients achieved complete remission of locally recurrent lesions, with marked improvement of subjective symptoms, immediately after re-irradiation. All are alive and well without evidence of disease after limited follow-up periods, which range from 7 to 20 months. So far, there have been no radiation-induced neurologic complications. Four patients with locally recurrent carcinoma of the nasopharynx were successfully treated by hyperfractionated re-irradiation using a 3-D CRT technique. A relatively high re-irradiation dose of more than 60 Gy may be safely delivered with no serious acute or late radiation-induced complications in patients with local recurrences and who were initially treated with doses greater than 70 Gy.

Keyword

Carcinoma of the nasopharynx; re-irradiation; Hyperfractionation; three-dimensional conformal radiotherapy

MeSH Terms

Aged
Dose Fractionation*
Human
Male
Middle Age
Nasopharyngeal Neoplasms/radiotherapy*
Neoplasm Recurrence, Local/radiotherapy*
Radiotherapy Dosage
Radiotherapy, Conformal*