A comparative study of undifferentiated nasopharyngeal carcinoma treated with radiotherapy or combined treatment with zorubicin-cisplatin and radiotherapy.

Undifferentiated nasopharyngeal carcinoma has been related to the Epstein-Barr virus. These tumors are known to be radiosensitive and chemosensitive. While radiotherapy (RT) allows for a high rate of local control, 80% of all patients die from or with metastatic spread. This study analyzed 61 patients treated with RT alone and 28 treated with zorubicin (ZRB)-cisplatin (CDDP) and RT between 1977 and 1990. All patients treated with RT received 60-74 Gy in 6-7 weeks. Patients treated with combined therapy received ZRB 250 mg/m2 on the 1st day and CDDP 30 mg/m2 from the 2nd to 5th day. The interval between cycles was 4 weeks. Following treatment with chemotherapy patients were then given RT. The 5-year survival rate was 20% for patients with T1 and T2 tumors when treated with RT alone and 54% when treated with chemotherapy (CT). This was 25% for T3 and T4 lesions with RT only and 27% for RT with CT. Survival of patients with N0 and N1 lesions was 41% after RT and 60% after RT with CT. This decreased to 10% for N2 and N3 lesions treated with RT and 30% with RT and CT.