BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the toxicity and to determine adequate doses of combined concurrent therapy with carboplatin/UFT and radiotherapy. This regimen was designed for use on patients with complications of renal dysfunction, ischemic heart disease, or advanced age. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Twenty-seven eligible patients with stages II-IV squamous cell carcinomas of the head and neck were treated with concurrent chemoradiotherapy. UFT was given orally at a dose of 300 mg/day daily. Carboplatin was given intravenously once a week at a dose of AUC 3-6. Radiotherapy was delivered in single daily fractions of 1.8-2.0 Gy, to a total dose of 66-70.2 Gy. RESULTS: Unacceptable toxicity (neutropenic fever or mucotitis) was encountered with a carboplatin dose of AUC 6 and a UFT dose of 300 mg/day. CONCLUSION: Combined radiotherapy and chemotherapy with carboplatin and UFT is a safe and well-tolerated regimen.
BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the toxicity and to determine adequate doses of combined concurrent therapy with carboplatin/UFT and radiotherapy. This regimen was designed for use on patients with complications of renal dysfunction, ischemic heart disease, or advanced age. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Twenty-seven eligible patients with stages II-IV squamous cell carcinomas of the head and neck were treated with concurrent chemoradiotherapy. UFT was given orally at a dose of 300 mg/day daily. Carboplatin was given intravenously once a week at a dose of AUC 3-6. Radiotherapy was delivered in single daily fractions of 1.8-2.0 Gy, to a total dose of 66-70.2 Gy. RESULTS: Unacceptable toxicity (neutropenic fever or mucotitis) was encountered with a carboplatin dose of AUC 6 and a UFT dose of 300 mg/day. CONCLUSION: Combined radiotherapy and chemotherapy with carboplatin and UFT is a safe and well-tolerated regimen.