Phase II trial: concurrent radio-chemotherapy with weekly docetaxel for advanced squamous cell carcinoma of head and neck.

INTRODUCTION: Standard fractionation radiation therapy (RT) combined with concomitant chemotherapy (CT) based on cisplatin schemes is actually the standard treatment for locally advanced non-resectable squamous cell carcinoma of head and neck (SCCHN). The appearance of taxoids has introduced a new kind of treatment with high antitumoral power. The aim of this study is to add more information about the role of this new approach. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twenty-six patients with locally advanced non-resectable SCCHN were recruited at six institutions in Spain, between January 2001 and January 2003. Docetaxel was administered weekly, for 6 weeks, concurrently with RT. RESULTS: The mean total delivered dose of RT was 70'2 Gy (range 64-74 Gy). The median and mean duration of time were 63 days and 61 days (range 49-103 days) respectively. After a median time control of 19 months (range 3.3-42.2 months), the response rate was 83.4%. The median time to local progression was 16.4 months (95% confidence interval [CI]=4.4-28.4 months). The median survival time was 26.9 months, with one- and two-year overall survival of 66.9% (95% CI=48.1-85.7%) and 57.5% (95% CI=37.3-77.7%) respectively. The median duration time response was 15.1 months (95% CI=3.7-26.5 months). The median time until treatment failure was 9.4 months (95% CI=4.7-14.1). Incidence of grade III-IV mucositis was 88%, neutropenia 72% and skin toxicity 92% (24% grade III-IV). The incidence of severe late toxicity (grade III and IV) due to RT/CT was 31.4%. CONCLUSIONS: Although therapeutics results are equivalent to cisplatin schemes of concurrent CT-RT, mucositis and cutaneous toxicity registered in this trial must be considered as limiting factors to application of this new approach.

[Prognostic factors and radiosensitivity of bladder cancer]. / Factores pronósticos y radiosensibilidad en cáncer de vejiga.

In the near future molecular biology will permit selection of patients with bladder cancer who can benefit more from radiotherapy and chemotherapy. There will also be an increase in the response rate due to the possibility of regulating the genes responsible for cellular radiosensitivity.

[Postcystectomy radiotherapy in bladder cancer]. / Radioterapia postcistectomía en el cáncer de vejiga.

Postcystectomy radiotherapy has not been analyzed profoundly for several reasons: the local recurrence rate is low; it has been used exclusively preoperatively since the first cooperative clinical trials were conducted; a high incidence of intestinal obstruction has been reported. The tumors that can benefit from coadjuvant radiotherapy, particularly those with a higher risk of local recurrence, are analyzed.

Dental anomalies caused by oncological treatment: case report.

In infancy, the oncological treatment is at times chemoradiotherapy. This treatment may cause dental development anomalies that can affect the form and structure of the tooth. A case report with this type of dental damage is presented.

[Carcinoma of the choroid plexus. Apropos of a case]. / Carcinoma de plexos coroides. A propósito de un caso.

A new case of choroid plexus carcinoma is presented. The propositus is the youngest reported in the literature at the moment. Evolution with early cerebral metastasis is emphasized. Neuroradiological and anatomapathological study was verified.