Radiochemotherapy for locally advanced squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck: Higher-dose cisplatin every 3 weeks versus cisplatin/5-fluorouracil every 4 weeks.

Many patients with locally advanced squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck (LASCCHN) receive cisplatin-based radiochemotherapy. The optimal regimen is still unclear when considering both efficacy and feasibility. This study compared two regimens for locoregional control (LRC), overall survival (OS), and adverse events.

Comparison of radiochemotherapy alone to surgery plus radio(chemo)therapy for non-metastatic stage III/IV squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck: A matched-pair analysis.

Background And Purpose: The standard treatment for non-metastatic stage III/IV squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck varies worldwide. This study compared the outcomes of radiochemotherapy alone to surgery followed by radio(chemo)therapy (radiotherapy plus/minus concurrent chemotherapy).

Patients And Methods: Data from 148 patients treated with radiochemotherapy alone were matched to 148 patients treated with surgery plus radio(chemo)therapy.

Surgery followed by radiotherapy versus radiotherapy alone for metastatic spinal cord compression from unfavorable tumors.

Purpose: Despite a previously published randomized trial, controversy exists regarding the benefit of adding surgery to radiotherapy for metastatic spinal cord compression (MSCC). It is thought that patients with MSCC from relatively radioresistant tumors or tumors associated with poor functional outcome after radiotherapy alone may benefit from surgery. This study focuses on these tumors.

Comparison of four cisplatin-based radiochemotherapy regimens for nonmetastatic stage III/IV squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck.

Purpose: To compare the outcomes of four cisplatin-based radiochemotherapy regimens in 311 patients with Stage III/IV squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck.

Methods And Materials: Concurrent chemotherapy consisted of three courses of cisplatin 100 mg/m(2) on Day 1 (Group A, n = 74), two courses of cisplatin 20 mg/m(2) on Days 1-5 plus 5-fluorouracil 1,000 mg/m(2) on Days 1-5 (Group B, n = 49), two courses of cisplatin 20 mg/m(2) on Days 1-5 plus 5-fluorouracil 600 mg/m(2) on Days 1-5 (Group C, n = 102), or two courses of cisplatin 20 mg/m(2) on Days 1-5 (Group D, n = 86). The groups were retrospectively compared for toxicity and outcomes, and 11 additional factors were evaluated for outcomes.

Locally advanced stage IV squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck: impact of pre-radiotherapy hemoglobin level and interruptions during radiotherapy.

Purpose: Stage IV head and neck cancer patients carry a poor prognosis. Clear understanding of prognostic factors can help to optimize care for the individual patient. This study investigated 11 potential prognostic factors including pre-radiotherapy hemoglobin level and interruptions during radiotherapy for overall survival (OS), metastases-free survival (MFS), and locoregional control (LC) after radiochemotherapy.

Toxicity of two cisplatin-based radiochemotherapy regimens for the treatment of patients with stage III/IV head and neck cancer.

Background: This nonrandomized study compared 2 radiochemotherapy regimens for toxicity in 128 patients with stage III/IV head and neck cancer.

Methods: Patients received conventionally fractionated radiotherapy. The total dose to primary tumor and involved lymph nodes did depend on preceding surgery.