A Comparative Study of Two Chemo-radiation Regimens for the Cancer of Larynx

Abstract

The region of head and neck is critical for respiration, nutrition, and speech. The management of laryngeal tumours<br />can stimulate mutilations and cosmetic deformities and worsen the life. A “non-operative approach" is preferred for<br />patients to whom radiation following surgery, possibly, will direct severe functional destruction predominantly in<br />advanced stage patients having a bulk of carcinoma larynx. The case material for the study was selected from the<br />cross-section of patients registered at the J. K. Cancer Institute, Kanpur. Histologically squamous cell carcinoma 64<br />patients were registered and equally and randomly placed into Arm I and Arm II. “Arm I" patients and “Arm II" was<br />comprised of randomly selected 64 patients, having histopathologically proven squamous cell carcinoma of the larynx.<br />All patients (32 patients) belonging to “Arm I" received concurrent chemoradiotherapy of Inj. Cisplatin 100 mg/m2<br />for three-weekly underwent EBRT with 60 Co/LINAC and photon radiation of 70 Gy in 35 fractions for 7 weeks<br />(2 parallel opposed fields). All the patients (32 patients) belongs to “Arm II" received chemo boost as Inj. Cisplatin 6<br />mg/m2 on last 15 fractions of treatment underwent EBRT with 60 Co/ LINAC photon radiation of 70 Gy in 35 fractions<br />for 7 weeks. Radiotherapy was delivered in supine position by parallel opposing fields including the primary tumour,<br />disease extension, and neck nodes. The study concluded that the loco-regional responses are analogous in Arm I and<br />Arm 2, however Arm II had additional treatment allied toxicities and resulting from numerous of treatment breaks.