Concurrent radiotherapy and chemotherapy for locally advanced squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck.

Background: Concurrent chemoradiation is the standard treatment for patients with advanced head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC).The present study was carried out to assess the feasibility and efficacy of low-dose gemcitabine as a radiosensitizer when used during radical therapeutic management of patients with locally advanced HNSCC.

Patients And Methods: Fifty-two patients with locally advanced HNSCC (stage III, 50%; stage IVa, 50%) were enrolled during the period from July 2008 to December 2010.