title: A retrospective analysis of patients with head and neck cancer treated with radiation, hyperthermia, and cetuximab: A brief report of outcome.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Advanced head and neck cancer continues to have a dismal outcome. Chemoradiation remains the current standard of care. Chemoradiation has not achieved the desired increase in survival in locally advanced head and neck cancer. This is a retrospective analysis of six patients treated with hyperthermia, radiation therapy, and cetuximab. We wished to determine if this combination treatment would further improve the outcome.
  
  
  METHODS
  Six patients with squamous cell cancer of the head and neck region were treated with hyperthermia, cetuximab, and radiation therapy. The end points assessed were acute toxicity and immediate response.
  
  
  RESULTS
  All the six patients received the planned doses of cetuximab and radiation therapy. Two patients did not complete the planned hyperthermia sessions. All patients developed mucositis and acneiform rashes. None had thermal burns. One hundred percent complete response was observed in all the patients.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Addition of hyperthermia to cetuximab and radiation therapy is feasible and shows impressive response rates with manageable toxicity profile. Further studies evaluating the same are needed to confirm these findings.
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiation Oncology, Dr. Balabhai Nanavati Hospital, Mumbai, Maharashtra, India.
authors.forename: Nagraj G
authors.initials: NG
authors.lastname: Huilgol
mesh_terms: D000359:Aftercare; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000068818:Cetuximab / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D006258:Head and Neck Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000628:therapy*; D006801:Humans; D006979:Hyperthermia, Induced / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D011878:Radiotherapy / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D000068818:Cetuximab