Results of an organ preservation protocol with induction chemotherapy and radiotherapy in patients with locally advanced pyriform sinus carcinoma

An alternative to the classical treatment for locally advanced (T3-T4 stage) pyriform sinus carcinoma with surgery and postoperative radiotherapy is to begin treatment with induction chemotherapy in an organ preservation approach. In patients with complete clinical response, this treatment is followed by radiotherapy; in non-complete responders, it is followed by surgery and postoperative radiotherapy. We conducted a retrospective study to evaluate such treatment in a cohort of 78 patients with locally advanced pyriform sinus carcinoma treated at a single institution between 1985 and 1997. In all patients, induction chemotherapy with cisplatin and 5-fluoruracil was carried out. Two patients died as a consequence of complications associated with chemotherapy treatment. Of the 76 patients who completed treatment, 23 (30%) achieved a complete response at the primary site, 38 (50%) attained a partial response, and 15 patients (20%) had a stabilization-progression. The 5-year adjusted survival of patients treated with radiotherapy alone was 57% and, in patients treated with surgery, 51%. There were no significant differences in survival related to the subsequent treatment used (P > 0.05). The larynx was preserved in 14 of the 23 patients (61%) who completed treatment with induction chemotherapy and radiotherapy. The frequency of organ preservation for the group of 78 patients who began treatment with induction chemotherapy was 18%. Received: 20 October 2000 / Accepted: 28 June 2001