• 4/12/2005
  • Hehr, Classen et al.
  • International Journal of Radiation Oncology as reported by cancerconsultants.com

According to a recent article published in the International Journal of Radiation Oncology, Biology and Physics, alternating treatment with chemotherapy and radiation therapy appears to be an effective treatment approach to recurrent, inoperable head and neck cancer.

Approximately 40,000 people in the United States are diagnosed with head and neck cancer every year. Cancers of the head and neck comprise several types of cancer, including the nasal cavity and sinuses, oral cavity, nasopharynx, oropharynx, and other sites located in the head and neck area. Following initial therapy, a large portion of patients experience a cancer recurrence. Unfortunately, these recurrences may be present in sites that are considered inoperable. Standard treatment for these patients consists of chemotherapy and/or radiation therapy. However, treatment is often associated with severe side effects which may reduce the quality of life of patients and may result in treatment delivery being delayed or doses reduced. A reduction in treatment doses or scheduling may ultimately compromise a patient’s long-term outcome.

Researchers from Germany recently conducted a clinical trial to evaluate the effectiveness of alternating radiation therapy and chemotherapy in patients with recurrent head and neck cancer to improve tolerability of treatment and possibly allow for full doses of each treatment modality to be delivered on time. This trial included 27 patients with inoperable, recurrent head and neck cancer who had received prior radiation therapy. Patients received treatment with the chemotherapy agents Taxotere® (docetaxel) and Platinol® (cisplatin) alternating with radiation treatment. Overall, anti-cancer responses occurred in 80% of patients. The average time to cancer progression at or near the site of cancer was 10 months, the overall average duration of survival was 10 months, and survival at 3 years was 18%. Full doses of radiation therapy were delivered to 81% of patients, and between 73% and 83% of patients received full doses of the chemotherapy agents. Low levels of white blood cells and mucositis were the most common side effects reported.

The researchers concluded alternating chemotherapy and radiation therapy may improve tolerability of therapy in patients with recurrent head and neck cancer, potentially improving their long-term outcomes. Patients with recurrent, inoperable head and neck cancer may wish to speak with their physician about their individual risks and benefits of participating in a clinical trial further evaluating different scheduling of treatment or other promising therapeutic approaches. Two sources of information regarding ongoing clinical trials include the National Cancer Institute (cancer.gov) and www.cancerconsultants.com.

Reference: Hehr T, Classen J, Belka C, et al. Reirradiation alternating with docetaxel and cisplatin in inoperable recurrence of head-and-neck cancer: A prospective phase I/II trial. International Journal of Radiation Oncology, Biology and Physics. 2005; 61: 1423-1431.