Concomitant cisplatin and radical radiation in locally advanced head & neck carcinoma

Effective treatment modalities for locally advanced squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck are limited and seldom result in long term survival. The improved results with cisplatin chemotherapy are encouraging and represent an additional therapeutic modality for head and neck cancer. To estimate the effectiveness, safety and tolerance of simultaneous cisplatin and radiotherapy in advanced carcinoma of the head and neck this phase II study was undertaken. 40 eligible patients with advanced squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck were entered into the study. Group I (20 patients) received conventional radical radiation 64 Gy/32 F/6.5 weeks and Group II (20 patients) received in addition to above radiotherapy, concomitant cisplantin 100 mg/m² every 3 weeks for three doses with forced diuresis and antiemetic schedule, on day 1, 22 and 43rd of rediation treatment. The complete response with RT alone was 40% and with combined treatment 70%. The treatment tolerance was approximately equal in both groups and all patients completed treatment in scheduled time.