Article Abstract

THE IMPACT OF RADIOTHERAPY COURSE LENGTH ON THE TREATMENT RESULTS OF NASOPHARYNGEAL CARCINOMA (NPC)

Authors: Xianzhao Chen,Qixin Tang

Abstract

Analyses were made among four radiotherapy schedules for NPC in order to determine whether there is an impact of radiotherapy course length on treatment results.



A series of 320 NPC patients were divided into four radiation treatment branches each with a schedule, this clinical trial was non- randomized. Radiotherapy comme length factor was considered with a derivative LQ model formula that biological effective dose (BED) = nd [ 1 + d/ (α/β)] - k(T - 28). The four branches were: 1. split - course 103 cases, with an intermediary rest of 3--4 weeks, mean total dose 70Gy/35fx, 73d, BED 51.6 Gy; 2. continuous 115 cases, 72Gy/36fx, 61d, BED 62.6 Gy; 3. hyperfroctionation I 52 cases, 1.5 Gy b.i.d., time interval (Ti)≥ 6 hr, 75Gy/49fx, 57d, BED 65.5Gy; 4. hyperfractionation K 50 cases, 1.2 Gy b.i.d., Ti≥6hr, 76Gy/60fx, 59d, BED 63.0 Gy.



Treatment results were compared with 1 -, and 3 - year loco- regional recurrent rotes, and 1 -, and 3 - year sm'vival rotes, and these rates were of a negative interrelation with prolonged course dtwation, but of a positive one with BED values. Continuous braneh was of a course mean 12 days shorter than the spilt-course one, its treatment results were nearly 10% higher in some subgroups ; and hyperfractionation branches were slightly better than continuous one.

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