title: Induction chemotherapy of docetaxel and Cisplatin for the elderly patients with squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Although concurrent chemoradiotherapy (CCRT) has been considered as a standard treatment for locally advanced squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck (SCCHN), this treatment is associated with increased toxicities such as mucositis and dermatitis. As a result, the dose intensity can be reduced and interruptions of radiotherapy are more common for CCRT than for sequential treatment, especially for the elderly patients. This prospective study was performed to assess the efficacy and safety profiles of the induction chemotherapy of docetaxel and cisplatin for elderly patients with locally advanced SCCHN.
  
  
  METHODS
  Patients over 65 years of age with locally advanced SCCHN were treated with docetaxel (70 mg/m(2)) and cisplatin (75 mg/m(2)) every 21 days. The chemotherapy consisted of two cycles with a third cycle that was administered to the responding patients. Patients who did not respond to initial chemotherapy underwent radiotherapy as a definitive local treatment.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Fifty patients were enrolled in this study and 44 patients were assessable for response and toxicity. The overall response rate was 88%, 16 patients (36%) achieved a complete response and 23 patients (52%) achieved a partial response. After a median follow-up of 24 months (range: 9 approximately 38 months) the median disease free period and overall survival period had not yet been reached. The one year and two year survival rates were 89% and 70%, respectively. The most common grade 3/4 adverse event was neutropenia, which occurred in 33 patients (75%) and 4 patients had febrile neutropenia.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Combination chemotherapy of docetaxel and cisplatin is an effective regimen with an acceptable safety profile as the induction treatment for elderly patients suffering with SCCHN.
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine, Pusan National University College of Medicnce, Busan, Korea.
authors.forename: Young-Jin
authors.initials: YJ
authors.lastname: Choi
authors.forename: Jooseop
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Chung
authors.forename: Ho-Jin
authors.initials: HJ
authors.lastname: Shin
authors.forename: Goon-Jae
authors.initials: GJ
authors.lastname: Cho
authors.forename: Soo-Geun
authors.initials: SG
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.forename: Byung-Joo
authors.initials: BJ
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: Byung-Mann
authors.initials: BM
authors.lastname: Cho
authors.forename: Dong-Won
authors.initials: DW
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.forename: Hak-Jin
authors.initials: HJ
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.forename: Won Sik
authors.initials: WS
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: Young-Don
authors.initials: YD
authors.lastname: Joo
authors.forename: Chang-Hak
authors.initials: CH
authors.lastname: Sohn