Preliminary Treatment Results of Radiation Therapy With Intra-Arterial Infusion Chemotherapy for Oral Cancer

Abstract

We retrospectively evaluated the efficacy and safety of radiotherapy with intra-arterial infusion chemotherapy for oral cancer. Between June 2013 and February 2016, 19 patients with previously untreated oral cancer were treated with weekly retrograde intra-arterial chemotherapy by continuous infusion of cisplatin with sodium thiosulphate. Sixteen of the 19 cases were treated with systemic chemotherapy. There were 10 males and 9 females. The median age was 61 years (range, 31-77). The primary sites were the oral tongue (n=15, 79%), gingival (n=2, 11%), buccal mucosa (n=1, 5.3%), and floor of mouth (n=1, 5.3%). The clinical stages were II (n=2, 11%), III (n=1, 5.3%), IVA (n=15, 79%), and IVB (n=1, 5,3%). Most patients (n=17, 89%) were treated with more than 5 cycles of intra-arterial infusion chemotherapy with cisplatin (20-50 mg/m2, median total dose: 50 mg/m2). The median irradiation dose was 70 Gy/35 fractions. The median follow-up period was 23 months (range: 8-44 months). The 2-year overall survival, progression-free survival, and local control rate were 87%, 72%, and 94%respectively. One patients experienced local failure, three experienced regional failure, and two developed distant metastasis. Major acute toxicities of more than grade 3 were oral mucositis in 10 (53%) patients. There were no neurological complications. Radiotherapy with intra-arterial infusion chemotherapy for oral cancer is effective and safe.