New horizon of chemotherapy for head and neck cancer

• Published in: JOURNAL OF JAPAN SOCIETY FOR HEAD AND NECK SURGERY Vol. 12; no. 1; pp. 1 - 7
• Main Author: Fujii, Masato
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: JAPAN SOCIETY FOR HEAD AND NECK SURGERY 2002
• Subjects: Chemo-radiotherapy; Chemotherapy for head and neck cancer; Comparative clinical study; neoadjuvant chemotherapy
• ISSN: 1349-581X; 1884-474X; 1884-474X
• DOI: 10.5106/jjshns.12.1

The combination of CDDP and 5-FU is considered first line chemotherapy for head and neck cancer. New analogs of CDDP with reduced renal toxicity, such as Carboplatin and Nedaplatin, are developed. They are useful for outpatient chemotherapy. Docetaxel (TXT) is also active for head and neck cancer. High CR rate for advanced head and neck cancer was obtained with the combination of TXT, CDDP and 5-FU. The clinical evidence of concomitant chemo-radiotherapy against survival and functional preservation is proved in head and neck cancer treatment. Prevention of distant metastasis by adjuvant chemotherapy after definitive treatment also has some evidence. Better prognoses for NAC sensitive patients will be proved as one of clinical evidences. Revaluation of NAC will be necessary with effective regimen such as CDDP + 5-FU+TXT. Clinical evidences are obtained by large comparative clinical trails in USA and Europe. The evidences of chemo-radiotherapy and NAC for head and neck cancer treatment should be studied by comparative clinical trials also in our country.