ABSTRACT
The purpose of the present study was to determine the safety and efficacy of induction chemotherapy followed by concomitant chemoradiotherapy. Thirty-eight patients were randomised to receive induction chemotherapy, consisting of cyclophosphamide and methotrexate followed by concomitant 5-fluorouracil and irradiation (study group) or irradiation alone (control group). There were non-significant differences in the initial tumor clearance rates in the two groups. Median disease-free survival (in complete responders) was 17 months (6-60+) vs 11 months (5-60+) (p = 0.407) and overall survival 11 months (1-60+) vs 14 months (2-60+) (p = 0.428) in the study and control groups respectively. Acute morbidity and deaths during intervention were higher in the study group (p = 0.007). This study suggests that induction along with concomitant chemoradiotherapy is too toxic for routine use and also fails to provide a survival benefit.
Subject(s)
Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols/therapeutic use , Head and Neck Neoplasms/drug therapy , Head and Neck Neoplasms/radiotherapy , Adult , Antimetabolites, Antineoplastic/administration & dosage , Antineoplastic Agents, Alkylating/administration & dosage , Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols/adverse effects , Chemotherapy, Adjuvant , Cyclophosphamide/administration & dosage , Disease-Free Survival , Feasibility Studies , Female , Fluorouracil/administration & dosage , Head and Neck Neoplasms/pathology , Humans , Male , Methotrexate/administration & dosage , Middle Aged , Pilot Projects , Radiotherapy, Adjuvant , Remission Induction , Survival Analysis , Treatment OutcomeABSTRACT
A case of bilateral hydatid lung disease is reported who presented with a history of short duration and large opacities in both lung fields. A trial of medical treatment with albendazole 400 mg BD for 6 weeks failed. The patient was managed by surgical intervention which also ultimately established the diagnosis of hydatid disease.
