MR-guided simulation is superior than FDG/PET-guided simulation for local control in nasopharyngeal cancer patients treated with intensity-modulated radiotherapy.

BACKGROUND: MRI and PET/CT scans are the main supportive methods for nasopharyngeal cancer (NPC) for staging and planning. The aim of this study is to compare MRI and PET/CT scanning in terms of survival in patients with NPC who had MRI or PET/CT-simulated radiotherapy planning. METHODS: Pathological diagnosed nonkeratinized undifferentiated type and stage II-IVA 91 NPC patients with treated intensity-modulated radiotherapy plus chemotherapy were scanned. The patients were immobilized by a customized thermoplastic mask for fusion images both MRI scans and PET/CT scans. CTVs were created via MR-guided simulation and PET/CT-guided simulation. RESULTS: PET/CT-guided simulation was performed with 44 patients (56.4%) and MR-guided simulation was performed with 34 patients (43.6%). Local recurrence-free survival (LRFS) of patients was 68.1 months. LRFS of patients with PET/CT-guided simulation was 59.9, while LRFS of patients with MR-guided was 66.9 months. There was a statistically significant difference between groups (P = .03). In the subgroup analyses, the patients were assessed by dividing into the three groups for the T1-T2 stage, T-3 stage, and T-4 stage. In the patients with T1-T2 stage, 5-year LRFS rates were found %74.4 for PET/CT-guided simulation and %83.3 for MR-guided simulation. There was no statistically significant difference between groups (P = .33). In the patients with T-3 stage, 5-year LRFS rates were found %55.6 for PET/CT-guided simulation and %83.3 for MR-guided simulation. There was not a statistically significant difference between groups (P = .59). In the patients with T-4 stage, 5-year LRFS rates were found %42.2 for PET/CT-guided simulation and %85.1 for MR-guided simulation. The difference between groups was found to be statistically significant (P = .04). CONCLUSION: In this study, we founded that MR-guided simulation has better than PET/CT-guided simulation for LRFS.

A comparison of cisplatin cumulative dose and cisplatin schedule in patients treated with concurrent chemo-radiotherapy in nasopharyngeal carcinoma / Comparação da dose cumulativa de cisplatina e esquema de tratamento em pacientes com carcinoma nasofaríngeo tratados concomitantemente com quimiorradioterapia

Abstract Introduction: Three-weekly cisplatin dose is accepted for standard treatment for concurrent chemo-radiotherapy in nasopharyngeal carcinoma. However, different chemotherapy schedules are presented in the literature. Objective: We intend to compare toxicity and outcomes of high dose 3-weekly cisplatin versus low dose weekly-cisplatin and cumulative dose of cisplatin in the patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma. Methods: 98 patients were included in the study, between 2010 and 2018. Cumulative doses of cisplatin (≥200 mg/m2 and <200 mg/m2) and different chemotherapy schedules (weekly and 3-weekly) were compared in terms of toxicity and survival. Besides prognostic factors including age, gender, T category, N category and radiotherapy technique were evaluated in uni-multivariate analysis. Results: Median follow-up time 41.5 months (range: 2-93 months). Five year overall survival, local relapse-free survival, regional recurrence-free survival and distant metastasis-free survival rates were; 68.9% vs. 90.3% (p = 0.11); 66.2% vs. 81.6% (p = 0.15); 87.3% vs. 95.7% (p = 0.18); 80.1% vs. 76.1% (p = 0.74) for the group treated weekly and 3 weekly, respectively. There was no statistically significant difference between groups. Five year overall survival, local relapse-free survival, regional recurrence-free survival and distant metastasis-free survival rates were; 78.2% vs. 49.2% (p = 0.003); 75.8% vs. 47.9% (p = 0.055); 91% vs. 87.1% (p = 0.46); 80% vs. 72.2% (p = 0.46) for the group treated ≥200 mg/m2 and <200 mg/m2 cumulative dose cisplatin. There was statistically significant difference between groups for overall survival and there was close to being statistically significant difference between groups for local relapse-free survival. Age, gender, T category, N category, chemotherapy schedules were not associated with prognosis in the uni-variety analysis. Radiotherapy technique and cumulative dose of cisplatin was associated with prognosis in uni-variate analysis (HR = 0.21; 95% CI: 0.071-0.628; p = 0.005 and HR = 0.29; 95% CI: 0.125-0.686; p = 0.003, respectively). Only cumulative dose of cisplatin was found as an independent prognostic factor in multivariate analysis (HR = 0.36; 95% CI: 0.146-0.912; p = 0.03). When toxicities were evaluated, such as hematological toxicity, dermatitis, mucositis, nausea and vomiting, there were no statistically significant differences between cumulative dose of cisplatin groups (<200 mg/m2 and ≥200 mg/m2) and chemotherapy schedules (3-weekly and weekly). But malnutrition was statistically significant higher in patients treated with 3-weekly cisplatin compared with patients treated with weekly cisplatin (p = 0.001). Conclusion: A cisplatin dose with ≥200 mg/m2 is an independent prognostic factor for overall survival. Chemotherapy schedules weekly and 3-weekly have similar outcomes and adverse effects. If patients achieve ≥200 mg/m2 dose of cumulative cisplatin, weekly chemotherapy schedules may be used safely and effectively in nasopharyngeal carcinoma patients.

Resumo Introdução: Três doses semanais de cisplatina com quimiorradioterapia concomitante são aceitas como o tratamento-padrão para carcinoma nasofaríngeo. No entanto, diferentes esquemas quimioterápicos são recomendados na literatura científica. Objetivo: Comparar a toxicidade e os resultados de 3 doses altas semanais de cisplatina versus dose baixa semanal de cisplatina em pacientes com carcinoma nasofaríngeo e verificar a dose cumulativa de cisplatina. Método: Foram incluídos 98 pacientes, entre 2010 e 2018. As doses cumulativas de cisplatina (≥ 200 mg/m2 e < 200 mg/m2) e diferentes esquemas de quimioterapia (semanal e a cada 3 semanas) foram comparadas em termos de toxicidade e sobrevida. Além disso, fatores prognósticos, inclusive idade, sexo, categoria T, categoria N e técnica de radioterapia, foram avaliados na análise uni-multivariada. Resultados: O tempo médio de seguimento foi de 41,5 meses (intervalo: 2-93 meses). Sobrevida global de cinco anos, sobrevida livre de recidiva local, sobrevida livre de recidiva regional e sobrevida livre de metástases a distância foram: 68,9% vs. 90,3% (p = 0,11); 66,2% vs. 81,6% (p = 0,15); 87,3% vs. 95,7% (p = 0,18); e 80,1% vs. 76,1% (p = 0,74) para os grupos tratados semanalmente e 3 x/semana, respectivamente. Não houve diferença estatisticamente significante entre os grupos. Taxas de sobrevida global, sobrevida livre de recidiva local, sobrevida livre de recidiva regional e sobrevida livre de metástases a distância em cinco anos foram; 78,2% vs. 49,2% (p = 0,003); 75,8% vs. 47,9% (p = 0,055); 91% vs. 87,1% (p = 0,46); 80% vs. 72,2% (p = 0,46) para o grupo tratado com ≥ 200 mg/m2 e < 200 mg/m2 de dose cumulativa de cisplatina. Houve diferença estatisticamente significante entre os grupos para sobrevida global e houve uma diferença quase estatisticamente significante entre os grupos para sobrevida livre de recidiva local. Idade, sexo, categoria T, categoria N e esquemas de quimioterapia não foram associados ao prognóstico na análise univariada. A técnica de radioterapia e dose cumulativa de cisplatina foram associadas ao prognóstico na análise univariada (HR = 0,21; IC 95%: 0,071 ± 0,628; p = 0,005 e HR = 0,29; IC 95%: 0,125 ± 0,686; p = 0,003, respectivamente). Apenas a dose cumulativa de cisplatina foi considerada um fator prognóstico independente na análise multivariada (HR = 0,36; IC 95%: 0,146 ± 0,912; p = 0,03). Quando as toxicidades foram avaliadas, como toxicidade hematológica, dermatite, mucosite, náusea e vômito, não houve diferença estatisticamente significante entre a dose cumulativa dos grupos cisplatina (< 200 mg/m2 e ≥ 200 mg/m2) e esquemas de quimioterapia (semanal e a cada 3 semanas). Entretanto, a desnutrição foi estatisticamente maior em pacientes tratados com cisplatina a cada 3 semanas em comparação com pacientes tratados com cisplatina semanalmente (p = 0,001). Conclusão: Uma dose de cisplatina ≥ 200 mg/m2 é fator prognóstico independente para sobrevida global. Os esquemas de quimioterapia semanais e a cada 3 semanas têm resultados e efeitos adversos semelhantes. Se os pacientes atingirem uma dose cumulativa ≥ 200 mg/m2 de cisplatina, os esquemas semanais de quimioterapia podem ser usados com segurança e eficácia em pacientes com carcinoma nasofaríngeo.

The prognostic value of neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio and platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio in nasopharyngeal cancer.

PURPOSE: To investigate the prognostic value of pre-treatment neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio (NLR), platelet/lymphocyte ratio (PLR) and hemoglobin level in patients treated with definitive chemoradiotherapy (CRT) for nasopharyngeal carcinoma. METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed 97 patients who received definitive CRT for nasopharyngeal cancer. An NLR cut-off value of 4.42 was identified using receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC) analysis, an PLR cut-off value of 128.6 was identified using ROC analysis and a hemoglobin cut-off value of 13g/dl was identified using ROC analysis with overall survival (OS) as an endpoint. RESULTS: The 5-year progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) for all patients were 67.1% and 72.6%, respectively. The patients with a high NLR (20.6%) had a significantly lower 5-year OS than those with a low NLR (79.4%) (OS: 46.9% vs. 79.7%, p<0.001). The patients with a high PLR (66.3%) had a borderline significant lower 5-year OS than those with a low PLR (32.7%) (OS: 66.1% vs. 87.9%, p=0.055). The patients with a low hemoglobin (18.4%) had a significantly lower 5-year OS than those with a high hemoglobin (80.6%) (OS: 46.6% vs. 78.9%, p<0.001). In univariate analysis, older age, IMRT technique, low hemoglobin and high NLR were prognostic factors. In multivariate analysis, high NLR, low hemoglobin and older age remained independent prognostic factors for OS. CONCLUSIONS: Nasopharyngeal cancer tends to be more aggressive in patients with a high NLR and low hemoglobin. These patients should be treated more aggressively, given their unfavorable prognosis.

A comparison of cisplatin cumulative dose and cisplatin schedule in patients treated with concurrent chemo-radiotherapy in nasopharyngeal carcinoma.

INTRODUCTION: Three-weekly cisplatin dose is accepted for standard treatment for concurrent chemo-radiotherapy in nasopharyngeal carcinoma. However, different chemotherapy schedules are presented in the literature. OBJECTIVE: We intend to compare toxicity and outcomes of high dose 3-weekly cisplatin versus low dose weekly-cisplatin and cumulative dose of cisplatin in the patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma. METHODS: 98 patients were included in the study, between 2010 and 2018. Cumulative doses of cisplatin (≥200mg/m2 and <200mg/m2) and different chemotherapy schedules (weekly and 3-weekly) were compared in terms of toxicity and survival. Besides prognostic factors including age, gender, T category, N category and radiotherapy technique were evaluated in uni-multivariate analysis. RESULTS: Median follow-up time 41.5 months (range: 2-93 months). Five year overall survival, local relapse-free survival, regional recurrence-free survival and distant metastasis-free survival rates were; 68.9% vs. 90.3% (p=0.11); 66.2% vs. 81.6% (p=0.15); 87.3% vs. 95.7% (p=0.18); 80.1% vs. 76.1% (p=0.74) for the group treated weekly and 3 weekly, respectively. There was no statistically significant difference between groups. Five year overall survival, local relapse-free survival, regional recurrence-free survival and distant metastasis-free survival rates were; 78.2% vs. 49.2% (p=0.003); 75.8% vs. 47.9% (p=0.055); 91% vs. 87.1% (p=0.46); 80% vs. 72.2% (p=0.46) for the group treated ≥200mg/m2 and <200mg/m2 cumulative dose cisplatin. There was statistically significant difference between groups for overall survival and there was close to being statistically significant difference between groups for local relapse-free survival. Age, gender, T category, N category, chemotherapy schedules were not associated with prognosis in the uni-variety analysis. Radiotherapy technique and cumulative dose of cisplatin was associated with prognosis in uni-variate analysis (HR=0.21; 95% CI: 0.071-0.628; p=0.005 and HR=0.29; 95% CI: 0.125-0.686; p=0.003, respectively). Only cumulative dose of cisplatin was found as an independent prognostic factor in multivariate analysis (HR=0.36; 95% CI: 0.146-0.912; p=0.03). When toxicities were evaluated, such as hematological toxicity, dermatitis, mucositis, nausea and vomiting, there were no statistically significant differences between cumulative dose of cisplatin groups (<200mg/m2 and ≥200mg/m2) and chemotherapy schedules (3-weekly and weekly). But malnutrition was statistically significant higher in patients treated with 3-weekly cisplatin compared with patients treated with weekly cisplatin (p=0.001). CONCLUSION: A cisplatin dose with ≥200mg/m2 is an independent prognostic factor for overall survival. Chemotherapy schedules weekly and 3-weekly have similar outcomes and adverse effects. If patients achieve ≥200mg/m2 dose of cumulative cisplatin, weekly chemotherapy schedules may be used safely and effectively in nasopharyngeal carcinoma patients.

Pretreatment low prognostic nutritional index and low albumin-globulin ratio are predictive for overall survival in nasopharyngeal cancer.

PURPOSE: We designed this retrospective study to identify predictive value of prognostic nutritional index (PNI) and albumin-globulin ratio (AGR) in nasopharyngeal cancer patients (NPC). METHODS: 95 non-metastatic NPC patients were included in the study. AGR was calculated as the absolute counts between albumin and globulin measurements. (Globulin values were obtained via excluding albumin counts from total protein counts). PNI was calculated using the following formula: [10 × serum albumin value (g/dL) + 0.005 × total lymphocyte count] in the peripheral blood (per mm3). RESULTS: The statistically significant cutoff value of PNI was identified as 45.45 (area under the curve (AUC): 0.636, p = 0.03) for overall survival. The 5-year OS rate for patients with PNI ≤ 45.45 and PNI > 45.45 were 52.9% and 79.0%, respectively. There were statistically significant difference between groups (p = 0.03).The statistically significant cutoff value of AGR was identified as 1.19 (AUC: 0.689, p < 0.01) for overall survival. The 5-year OS rate for patients with AGR ≤ 1.19 and AGR > 1.19 were 57.7% and 82.0%. There were statistically significant differences between the groups (p = 0.04). 5-year OS rate was 42.9% in the high-risk group (low-PNI and low-AGR patients), it was 80.3% in the intermediate group (low PNI and high AGR or high PNI and low AGR) and it was 80.9% in low-risk group (high PNI and high AGR) (p = 0.004). In the multivariate analysis, age and PNI were independent prognostic factors for poorer OS (HR 2.70, 95% CI 1.091-6.719, p = 0.32 and HR 2.44, 95% CI 1.009-5.940, p = 0.48). CONCLUSIONS: Low PNI is independent prognostic factor for poorer OS. Patients with low-PNI and low-AGR have worse survival than patients with high PNI and high AGR.