Efficacy of Induction Chemotherapy with Paclitaxel and Carboplatin in Locally Advanced Squamous Cell Carcinoma of the Hypopharynx: A Descriptive Case Series

Introduction: Head and neck cancer including hypopharyngeal carcinoma is one of commonest malignancies in Pakistan. According to the Pakistan Medical Research Council (PMRC) reports, it was found to be the commonest malignancy in males and was second highest to breast cancer in females. The patients for the management of hypopharyngeal cancer present with locally advanced disease. Induction chemotherapy with paclitaxel and carboplatin is being used for few years but the results have not been documented yet. The aim of this study is to design a protocol in future with improved outcome and acceptable morbidity. Objective:To determine the efficacy of induction chemotherapy with paclitaxel & carboplatin in locally advanced squamous cell carcinoma of hypopharynx in terms of frequency of complete and partial response. Settings:This study was conducted at Nuclear Medicine, Oncology and Radiotherapy Institute (NORI), Islamabad. Study Design: Descriptive case series. Duration of study: 6 months from 01/08/2017 to 31/01/2018 Material and methods:In this study a total of 59 patients were observed by using World Health Organization sample size calculator where confidence level: 95%, anticipated population proportion: 67%, relative precision: 12%. Moreover, nonprobability consecutive sampling technique was used for sample collection. Results:Mean age was 60 ± 11.87 years. 40(68%) patients were males while 19(32%) were females. 22(38%) patients had carcinoma of stage III, 32(54%) patients had carcinoma of stage IVA while 5(8%) patients had carcinoma of stage IVB. Moreover, induction chemotherapy was effective in 42(72%) patients and was not effective in 17(28%) patients. Conclusion:Our study concludes that induction chemotherapy with paclitaxel & carboplatin was 72% effective in locally advanced squamous cell carcinoma of hypopharynx in terms of frequency of complete and partial response.