5-fluorouracil plus radiation for head and neck cancer.
5-fluorouracil is a widely used chemotherapeutic agent. Its role and activity in the treatment of squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck are reviewed. In head and neck cancer, 5-fluorouracil is mostly used in combination with cisplatin. Despite a high activity of this regimen, as documented in response rates of up to 90%, its use as an adjuvant to surgery and radiation does not impact consistently on survival rates. In contrast, 5-FU-based chemotherapy with concomitant radiotherapy seems to improve treatment outcome. Several randomized trials suggest improved locoregional control with concomitant chemoradiotherapy with a 5-fluorouracil-based chemotherapy regimen. The activity and the metabolism of 5-FU can be further modulated by cisplatin, hydroxyurea, and leucovorin.
Department of Medicine, University of Chicago, Illinois, USA.
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D000964:Antimetabolites, Antineoplastic / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D005472:Fluorouracil / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006258:Head and Neck Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000532:radiotherapy*; D006801:Humans
D000964:Antimetabolites, Antineoplastic; D005472:Fluorouracil