Stage 4 squamous cell carcinoma of the tongue in a child: complete response to chemoradiotherapy

J Pediatr Hematol Oncol. 2001 Dec;23(9):612-5. doi: 10.1097/00043426-200112000-00012.

Abstract

This report describes a complete response to a chemoradiotherapy regimen in a child with an advanced and unresectable squamous cell carcinoma of the tongue. An 8-year-old girl had stage 4 squamous cell carcinoma of the tongue (T4N2M0), causing severe trismus and dysphagia. She received hyperfractionated external beam radiotherapy (total 74.4 Gy) and concomitant intravenous infusion of hydroxyurea (0.313 mg/m2 per min) for 43 days. Grade 3 mucositis and myelosuppression were the main toxicities. There was marked symptomatic improvement, and the patient achieved a complete response. She is disease-free 24 months after treatment, and all the acute symptoms have resolved. The regimen was well tolerated with acceptable toxicity and led to a complete objective response. This regimen needs further evaluation to confirm its efficacy and to ascertain its long-term effects in children.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Antineoplastic Agents, Alkylating / therapeutic use*
  • Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / drug therapy
  • Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / pathology
  • Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / radiotherapy
  • Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / therapy*
  • Combined Modality Therapy
  • Dose Fractionation, Radiation
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Hydroxyurea / therapeutic use*
  • Nasopharynx / pathology
  • Neoplasm Invasiveness
  • Palatine Tonsil / pathology
  • Remission Induction
  • Submandibular Gland / pathology
  • Tongue Neoplasms / drug therapy
  • Tongue Neoplasms / pathology
  • Tongue Neoplasms / radiotherapy
  • Tongue Neoplasms / therapy*

Substances

  • Antineoplastic Agents, Alkylating
  • Hydroxyurea