title: Comparison of sequential chemoradiation with radiation alone in the treatment of advanced head and neck cancers.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To compare locoregional control with alternating chemo radiation and radiation alone in patients with locally advanced head and neck carcinoma.
  
  
  METHODS
  A prospective randomized study.
  
  
  METHODS
  Tertiary academic referral center.
  
  
  METHODS
  50 patients of biopsy proven locally-advanced carcinoma of head and neck.
  
  
  METHODS
  25 patients were kept in Group I or study group (i.e. alternating chemo-radiation) and 25 patients in Group II or control group (i.e. radiation alone). In the study group, patients were given 3 cycles of chemotherapy (Cisplatin 20 mg/m([2]) and Inj. 5-FU 200mg/m([2]) from day 1-5 of each week) during weeks 1,5 and 9 alternated with radiation dose of 10Gy/week was given during weeks 2,3,4 and 6,7,8. In the control group, patients were given a total dose of 60Gy in 6 weeks.
  
  
  METHODS
  The response rate at the primary site and nodal site was better in study group as compared to control group.
  
  
  RESULTS
  On comparing the response at the primary and nodal site together, 72% (18/25) patients of group I and 44% (11/25) patients of group II showed CR. PR was seen in 28% (7/25) and 36% (9/25) patients in group I and II respectively. No response was seen in 5/25 (20%) of patients in Group II.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Our study has revealed that alternating/ sequential chemoradiation is a promising and feasible approach for patients in advanced head and neck cancer.
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiotherapy and Oncology, Government Medical College, Chandigarth, India.
authors.forename: Sapna
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Manocha
authors.forename: Virender
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Suhag
authors.forename: B S
authors.initials: BS
authors.lastname: Sunita
authors.forename: H S
authors.initials: HS
authors.lastname: Hooda
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Singh
keywords: Chemoradiation; head and neck cancer