Chemotherapy in head and neck cancer.
Chemotherapy has been used for many years as a palliative approach to advanced squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck. Regimens employed have slowly evolved during this time, and the combination of cisplatin and 5-fluorouracil is still standard chemotherapy for such a tumour. However, clinical approaches to advanced squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck are changing dramatically as physicians become increasingly familiar with multidisciplinary treatments. Integrating chemotherapy and radiotherapy, neo-adjuvant or adjuvant treatments and organ preservation are stimulating fields of investigation involving chemotherapy which definitely warrant further investigation.
Merlano
M
M
Dept. of Medical Oncology I, Istituto Nazionale per la Ricerca sul Cancro, Genova, Italy.
Benasso
M
M
Cavallari
M
M
Blengio
F
F
Rosso
M
M
D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000532:radiotherapy; D017024:Chemotherapy, Adjuvant; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D006258:Head and Neck Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000532:radiotherapy; D006801:Humans; D010166:Palliative Care