title: Cetuximab as primary treatment for cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma to the neck.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Head and neck cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) metastatic to lymph nodes is commonly treated with surgery plus radiotherapy.
  
  
  METHODS
  We present the case of a 92-year-old man with cutaneous SCC metastatic to the neck (7 cm) who was treated with primary cetuximab and has had a durable complete response for 7 months. Because of his age, comorbidities, and unresectable neck lymphadenopathy, he received primary cetuximab. He received a 400 mg/m(2) loading dose and a 250 mg/m(2) weekly dose for 3 months and then had to discontinue as a result of other unrelated medical issues.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The patient had a complete response by 6 weeks. Seven months after discontinuing cetuximab, he continues to have a complete response.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Primary cetuximab for cutaneous SCC metastatic to lymph nodes is an area that bears further investigation because of its apparent efficacy and excellent toxicity profile.
authors: Radiation Oncology, Cancer Institute of New Jersey, New Brunswick, New Jersey, USA. kim18@umdnj.edu
authors: Sung
authors: S
authors: Kim
authors: Michael
authors: M
authors: Eleff
authors: Nicos
authors: N
authors: Nicolaou
mesh_terms: D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D061067:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000556:secondary; D000068818:Cetuximab; D006258:Head and Neck Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000556:secondary; D006801:Humans; D008207:Lymphatic Metastasis; D008297:Male; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D012307:Risk Factors; D012878:Skin Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D061067:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D000068818:Cetuximab