Current and Future State of Chemoradiotherapy for Head and Neck Cancer.

Accession number;02A0263695
Title;Current and Future State of Chemoradiotherapy for Head and Neck Cancer.
Author; FUWA NOBUKAZU (Aichi Cancer Center)
Journal Title;Nippon Acta Radiologica
Journal Code:S0239B
ISSN:0048-0428
VOL.62;NO.2;PAGE.65-72(2002)
Figure&Table&Reference;TBL.5, REF.60
Pub. Country;Japan
Language;Japanese
Abstract;Radiation therapy was the conventional treatment for locally advanced, nonresectable head and neck cancer. However, therapeutic results were poor with this treatment modality, and chemoradiotherapy has been used in an effort to improve therapeutic results. Improved local-regional control and disease-free or overall survival have been shown in several randomized trials using a concurrent or alternative approach. Induction chemotherapy (neoadjuvant chemotherapy), however, has not been shown to improve local-regional control or survival. Induction chemotherapy followed by definitive radiotherapy may be useful in the selection of patients who are likely to benefit from non-surgical organ preservation treatment schemes. Further clinical trials are needed to clarify the most suitable combination of chemotherapy and radiation. Intraarterial chemotherapy combined with radiation therapy for head and neck cancer has been attempted for many years. However, the indications, clinical significance, and selection of suitable anti-cancer drugs remain unclarified. The modern superselective intraarterial approach should be re-evaluated. Many head and neck cancers have been found to overexpress the receptor to epidermal growth factor(EGFR). Antibodies such as IMC-C225 that specifically target EGF receptors with radiotherapy and/or chemotherapy may prove to be valuable contributors to the treatment of advanced head and neck cancer. (author abst.)
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