[Modulation of cellular response to ionizing radiation: towards new molecular targets?]

Nasopharyngeal carcinomas: an update

Among the group of head and neck cancers, nasopharyngeal carcinomas (NPC) represent a distinct entity in terms of their epidemiology, clinical presentation, biological markers, carcinogenic risk factors, prognostic factors, treatment and outcome. Undifferentiated NPC (UCNT), the most frequent histological type, is endemic in certain regions, especially in South East Asia. The disease has also been associated with the presence of the Epstein-Barr Virus (EBV). Although NPC is a radiosensitive and chemosensitive tumour, a substantial number of patients develop local recurrence or distant metastases. For patients with locoregional advanced disease, it is well known that conventional radiotherapy is insufficient in terms of both the local control rates and distant metastases. New techniques of radiation and new combined radiotherapy and chemotherapy modalities have been evaluated in numerous clinical trials in recent years. The purpose of this article is to review the current knowledge in terms of the epidemiology, biology, prognosis, management and outcome of patients with NPC.

[Tumor and individual radiosensitivity. An introduction]

This text is intended to introduce the following articles, which correspond to the lectures given at the "Radiosensitivity" session of the 1998 SFRO Meeting. We first underline the somewhat disappointing results obtained so far for evaluating tumoral radiosensitivity. However, a few new tests could bring some hope in a not-too distant future. We then focus on individual radiosensitivity. We first list the syndromes or diseases associated with a known hyperradiosensitivity. We then concentrate on the radiosensitivity tests that are available in 1998, some of them being already used in a few centers in specific situations. However, the "optimal" test is still to be identified. After a brief chapter on the possible modulations of radiosensitivity, we conclude with a few recommendations to the clinician.