B-ENT

Induction chemotherapy before surgery for unresectable head and neck cancer

1.

Department of Otorhinolaryngology, CHU Hautepierre, Strasbourg, France

2.

Department of medical oncology, Centre Paul Strauss, France

3.

Geriatric Department, Hôpital Universitaire de Strasbourg, Strasbourg, France

4.

Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Institut Universitaire du Cancer, Toulouse, France

B-ENT 2016; 12: 29-32
Read: 2125 Downloads: 548 Published: 03 February 2020

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.

Methodology: 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.

Conclusion: 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.

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EISSN 2684-4907