Abstract: Objective  To explore the effect of the single maximum of alcohol consumption on vomiting induced by chemotherapy in male patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma. Methods  According to the single maximum of alcohol consumption, 48 cases of male patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma were divided into two groups: group A (small capacity for liquor group 10-50 g), group B (large capacity for liquor group ＞50 g). The amount of alcohol intake was assessed by a questionnaire. The responses of vomiting and the effects of antiemetic therapy between the two groups during the first cycle after induction chemotherapy were observed. Results The incidence rates of vomiting induced by chemotherapy between the two groups were 52.0% and 17.4%, respectively. There were significant differences between the two groups (χ²=6.273,  P＜0.05). The incidence rates of grade 0, 1, 2 and 3 of vomiting in group A were 48.0%, 20.0%, 20.0%, 12.0%, in group B were 82.6%, 13.0%, 4.4%, 0, respectively. There were significant differences between the two groups (χ²=6.013,P=0.024). In the two groups, the complete control rate for acute vomit were 48.0% and 82.6% (χ²=6.273,P=0.012), for delayed vomit were 36.0% and 65.2% (χ²=4.090, P=0.043). There were also significant differences between the two groups. Conclusion With the increasing of capacity for liquor, the incidence of vomiting is significantly reduced, the degree of vomiting is distinctly alleviated, and the antiemetic efficacy is distinctly increased.

Key words: Nasopharyngeal neoplasms, Vomiting, Alcohol drinking, Induction chemotherapy