EFFICACY OF INDUCTION CHEMOTHERAPY IN LOCALLY ADVANCED SQUAMOUS CELL CARCINOMA OF HEAD AND NECK

Abstract

Objective: To determine the efficacy of induction chemotherapy in locally advanced squamous cell carcinoma of head and neck.

Study Design: Descriptive case series.

Place and Duration of Study: This study was conducted at the Department of Oncology, Combined Military Hospital (CMH) Rawalpindi, from Feb 2016 to Aug 2016 over a period of 6 months.

Material and Methods: Fifty five patients of both genders, having ages 12-65 years with confirmed histopathological diagnosis of squamous cell carcinoma of head and neck region with clinical and radiological stage III to stage IVB were included in this study. The patients fulfilling the inclusion criteria were planned to receive 3 cycles of induction chemotherapy and were evaluated after 4 weeks for response assessment. The collected data was analyzed by using SPSS version 17.

Results: Among fifty five patients with Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma (HNSCC) 34 (62%) patients showed efficacy more than 50%, while, 21 (38%) had no response. Higher efficacy was noted in patients of younger age, male gender, those who were married, with higher literacy level and better socioeconomic status. Higher efficacy was also observed in the patients who had been having HNSCC of less than 12 months
(p=0.0031). On univariate analysis, the prognostic factors significantly affecting progression-free survival were marital status and duration of illness.

Conclusions: The efficacy of induction chemotherapy in locally advanced squamous cell carcinoma of head and neck is encouraging and needs further validation through more detailed multicenter trials.