Concurrent carboplatin and paclitaxel definitive radiation therapy for locally advanced head and neck cancer

Abstract

Background: We report the outcomes of cisplatin-ineligible HNSCC patients treated with definitive chemoradiation and concurrent carboplatin and paclitaxel. Materials and Methods: We included consecutive HNSCC patients treated from 2013 to 2021 that received definitive chemoradiation with carboplatin and paclitaxel. Locoregional recurrences (LRR) and distant metastases (DM) were estimated using cumulative incidence functions. Progression free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) were estimated using Kaplan–Meier methods. Results: Sixty-five patients were identified with median age of 71 years (range 44–85). Median radiation dose was 70 Gy and the median doses of carboplatin and paclitaxel were AUC 1 and 40 mg/m2, respectively. At a median follow-up of 29 (range 5–91) months, the 2-year rates of LRR, DM, PFS, and OS were 8.8%, 9.4%, 72.2%, and 88.7%, respectively. In total, there were 5 LRR, 7 DM, and 12 deaths. Conclusions: Chemoradiation with carboplatin and paclitaxel is an excellent option for cisplatin-ineligible HNSCC patients.