Results of a national clinical trial confirm that simultaneous treatment with chemotherapy and radiation preserves the voice of patients with advanced larynx cancer without compromising survival rates. The findings, reported in the November 27, 2003 issue of the New England Journal of Medicine are compelling enough to have the combination treatment become the standard of care for such patients, the study's authors report.

"Chemotherapy and radiation together are recommended for advanced laryngeal cancer patients who are otherwise in good health and want to preserve their voice," says Arlene Forastiere, M.D., professor of oncology and otolaryngology at the Johns Hopkins Kimmel Cancer Center and chair of the study. "For patients who have other significant medical problems or little support at home, we would recommend radiation alone. In all cases, patients should be followed closely during treatment by a head and neck surgeon, so that surgery can be performed if there is residual or recurrent cancer after treatment." This year, approximately 9,500 Americans will be diagnosed with laryngeal cancer and 3,800 will die from the disease.

Experience with combined treatment, Forastiere adds, has reduced the need for complete removal of the larynx from 100 percent to about 15 percent. Removing the larynx leaves patients unable to speak with their natural voice and typically use speaking aids such as an electronic device. Other previously-studied treatment options included radiation therapy alone or several cycles of chemotherapy followed by radiation. Studies from a decade ago showed that the survival rate of patients treated with chemotherapy followed by radiation was just as good as those receiving surgery.

This new study of 547 patients shows that giving chemotherapy and radiation together instead of sequentially is more effective in preserving the voice box. 88 percent of patients receiving chemotherapy and radiation together still had their voice
'"/>

Contact: Vanessa Wasta
wastava@jhmi.edu
410-955-1287
Johns Hopkins Medical Institutions
26-Nov-2003

Page: 1 2
Related biology news :

1. Somethings fishy about new NIST food standard
2. First ever standards linking climate change, biodiversity and poverty seek global peer review
3. When combining new oral anti-cancer agents with standard chemotherapy, timing may be crucial
4. New standard to help diagnose heart attacks
5. New standard on the menu, certified slurried spinach
6. Use of new direct thrombin inhibitor may be as effective as current standard treatment
7. Nationwide organic standards to be launched Monday
8. Evidence suggests that standard smallpox vaccine offers long-term immunity
9. Radiation alone after surgery still the standard for head and neck cancer
10. New standards from NIST may provide all-natural benefits
11. Ames Laboratory pursues new standard in sensor technology