E. Martínez López

Hyperfractionated radiotherapy and concomitant cisplatin for locally advanced laryngeal and hypopharyngeal carcinomas: Final results of a single institutional program

The purpose of this study was to achieve locoregional control of locally advanced laryngeal carcinoma, survival, and organ preservation using split hyperfractionated accelerated radiation therapy and cisplatin concomitantly. This study was a phase II trial of chemoradiotherapy with split hyperfractionated accelerated radiation therapy, 1.6 Gy per fraction given twice per day to a total dose of 64 to 67.2 Gy for a total of 6 weeks with a 2-week gap, and cisplatin 20 mg/m2, days 1 to 5, in continuous perfusion, concomitantly. Seventy-three patients were treated (stage IV, 64%). At a median follow-up of 55 months for living patients, median survival was 44 months, and 5-year overall survival and disease-free survival were 42% and 39%, respectively. Toxicities included mucositis (grade III, 40%; grade IV, 28%), epithelitis (grade III, 28%). Of the 73 patients, 32 (44%) have continued with their larynx free of disease. Split hyperfractionated accelerated radiation therapy and concomitant cisplatin has been demonstrated to be an active treatment for locally advanced laryngeal carcinomas, but more active combinations of chemotherapy and radiotherapy, without increase of toxicity, are necessary to increase the rate of locoregional control, organ preservation, and survival.

Quality of life assessment in Spanish lung cancer patients by the EORTC questionnaires

• Purpose: To assess the quality of life of a sample of lung cancer patients during their treatment. • Material and methods: 170 patients with limited and advanced small-cell lung cancer (SCLC), and with stages III and IV non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) were considered. Patients filled the EORTC QLQC30 questionnaire, and the EORTC-LC13 lung module at three different times during the treatment and follow-up. Demographic and clinical data were also recorded. We compared the groups according to the stage and treatment modality, and studied the changes of the quality of life throughout time. • Results: The quality of life scores of the patients under the given protocols: were acceptable in the three considered measurements, as were also the toxicity scores. At the base line there are limitations in the areas of symptoms of disease and quality of life. Few differences were observed between the groups at different stages and under the different treatment modalities. The quality of life scores were similar according to the three measurements. Treatment modality showed a specific effect in the second measurement, while in the third one it improved in some toxicity areas and persisted in others. • Conclusions: The quality of life of the patients receiving the complete protocols was acceptable. The patients under treatment stood it adequately.

Larga evolución de un paciente diagnosticado de cáncer microcítico de pulmón con afectación del sistema nervioso central

Cell lung cancer is the principal cause of cancer death in men and women. We report the case of a man diagnosed with small cell lung cancer, metastatic from the outset. The disease is stable at present, forty-seven months from diagnosis, after receiving different treatment modalities.