title: Review of current treatment practices for carcinoma of the head and neck.
abstract: The past two decades have witnessed a paradigm shift in the treatment of squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck. Innovation in chemotherapy, radiotherapy and surgery has led to the assimilation of these modalities into our treatment algorithms. This modern multipart treatment plan has led to improved survival; however, this has come at the cost of increased toxicity. New and future therapies will be more tumour specific and, ideally, less toxic. Current research centres on these tumour-specific therapies with the anticipation of improved survival with decreased toxicity. This article will review the standard of care, recent advances and unfulfilled needs in the treatment of squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck.
authors.affiliation: University of Illinois Medical Center, 840 South Wood Street, Chicago, IL 60612, USA. Bijmodi@yahoo.com
authors.forename: Bijal J
authors.initials: BJ
authors.lastname: Modi
authors.forename: Brian
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Knab
authors.forename: Lawrence E
authors.initials: LE
authors.lastname: Feldman
authors.forename: Arno J
authors.initials: AJ
authors.lastname: Mundt
authors.forename: Mike
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Yao
authors.forename: Kristen B
authors.initials: KB
authors.lastname: Pytynia
authors.forename: Joel
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Epstein
mesh_terms: D000465:Algorithms; D000818:Animals; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000276:immunology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D061067:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized; D000964:Antimetabolites, Antineoplastic / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000972:Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000532:radiotherapy / Q000601:surgery; D000068818:Cetuximab; D002945:Cisplatin / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D019583:Dose Fractionation, Radiation; D016503:Drug Delivery Systems; D066246:ErbB Receptors / Q000276:immunology; D006258:Head and Neck Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000532:radiotherapy / Q000601:surgery; D006801:Humans; D008727:Methotrexate / Q000627:therapeutic use; D009362:Neoplasm Metastasis / Q000517:prevention & control; D011880:Radiotherapy Planning, Computer-Assisted; D016032:Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; D043823:Taxoids / Q000627:therapeutic use
chemical_list: D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D061067:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized; D000964:Antimetabolites, Antineoplastic; D000972:Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic; D043823:Taxoids; D066246:ErbB Receptors; D000068818:Cetuximab; D002945:Cisplatin; D008727:Methotrexate