High-dose epirubicin and cisplatin in locally advanced undifferentiated nasopharyngeal carcinoma

Abstract

Aim: Undifferentiated nasopharyngeal carcinoma (UNPC) is a chemosensitive tumour; a randomized study evaluating neoadjuvant chemotherapy with bleomycin/epidoxorubicin/cisplatin (BEC) in addition to conventional radiotherapy has resulted in a better disease-free survival in the chemotherapy arm. The bleomycin infusion in the BEC regimen has necessitated hospitalization for the infusion, and resulted in serious pulmonary toxicity. This study has aimed to omit the bleomycin and test the efficacy and toxicity of cisplatin (C) and a higher dose of epidoxorubicin (EPI) in patients with locally advanced UNPC.