Arterial chemoradiotherapy for carcinomas of the external auditory canal and middle ear

Abstract

Objectives/Hypothesis: The purpose of this study was to estimate the efficacy of superselective arterial chemoradiotherapy for locally advanced carcinomas of the external auditory canal and middle ear. Study Design: A retrospective study of clinical data for consecutive patients with locally advanced carcinomas of the external auditory canal and middle ear. Methods: Thirteen patients with locally advanced carcinomas of the external auditory canal and middle ear (T3: one patient, T4:12 patients) were reviewed. The median follow-up duration in the living patients was 33 months. The total dose of radiation therapy was 60 Gy using conventional fractionation. Four, five, or six courses of a superselective arterial infusion (cisplatin 50 mg) were given weekly. Results: The overall survival and progression-free survival rates at 2 years, calculated by the Kaplan-Meier method, were 58.7% and 53.8%, respectively. No late-phase adverse effects due to chemoradiation and no adverse effects due to catheterization were observed. Conclusions: These results suggest that superselective arterial chemoradiation can be a treatment option for locally advanced carcinomas of the external auditory canal and middle ear.