Induction chemotherapy before surgery for unresectable head and neck cancer.
OBJECTIVE
To preoperatively reduce tumour size in patients with locally advanced and/or non-resectable squamous cell carcinoma with induction chemotherapy in order to achieve surgical excision with clear margins and preserve quality of life.


METHODS
In this study, 16 patients with locally advanced and/or non-resectable squamous cell carcinoma underwent induction chemotherapy with docetaxel, cisplatin, and 5-fluorouricil or paclitaxel, carboplatin, and cetuximab.


RESULTS
Over 80% of patients responded to induction chemotherapy. Histological examination of the 14 surgical specimens showed a total absence of residual cancer cells in 37.5% of cases.


CONCLUSIONS
Concurrent radiation and chemotherapy is the standard treatment for locally advanced head and neck squamous cell carcinoma; however, induction chemotherapy may be beneficial in select patients.
H
H
Schmaltz
C
C
Borel
S
S
Ciftci
C
C
Takeda-Raguin
C
C
Debry
P
P
Schultz
A
A
Dupret-Bories
D000328:Adult; D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D016190:Carboplatin / Q000008:administration & dosage; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology; D000068818:Cetuximab / Q000008:administration & dosage; D002945:Cisplatin / Q000008:administration & dosage; D015331:Cohort Studies; D018572:Disease-Free Survival; D005260:Female; D005472:Fluorouracil / Q000008:administration & dosage; D006258:Head and Neck Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology; D006801:Humans; D060828:Induction Chemotherapy / Q000379:methods; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009062:Mouth Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology; D009959:Oropharyngeal Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology; D017239:Paclitaxel / Q000008:administration & dosage; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D000077195:Squamous Cell Carcinoma of Head and Neck; D043823:Taxoids / Q000008:administration & dosage; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D043823:Taxoids; D016190:Carboplatin; D017239:Paclitaxel; D000068818:Cetuximab; D002945:Cisplatin; D005472:Fluorouracil