The Treatment Impact of the Chemotherapy with Paclitaxel and Carboplatin on the Quality of Life in the Patients with Locoregional Advanced Tonsillar Carcinoma

Abstract

Background: Tonsillar carcinoma is a significant cause of mortality and morbidity in oncological practice which causes a severe decrease in quality of life, especially in patients with III and IV stages. The objective of the study was to explore the influence of induction chemotherapy with Paclitaxel and Carboplatin on quality of life. Methods: In an open-label study, we randomly assigned 80 patients with locoregional advanced tonsillar cancer to receive conventional radiation therapy (the control group) with paclitaxel and carboplatin as induction therapy and induction chemotherapy with cisplatin and 5 fluorouracil. All patients were evaluated for quality of life and mental status using the Medical Outcome Study Shortform, 36 Item Health Survey (SF-36) questionnaire. The follow-up period was 12 months. Statistics: using nonparametric test Krusskall-Wallis (for multigroup ordinal variables) and Pearson correlation coefficient. Results: There is a significant improvement in quality of life in patients treated with paclitaxel and carboplatin treatment compared to those treated with cisplatin and 5 fluorouracil. There were no changes in mental status. Conclusions: The study suggests that paclitaxel and carboplatin as induction chemotherapy improve the quality of life in patients with locoregional advanced tonsillar carcinoma.