Carboplatin for chemoradiation for head and neck cancer – pro

Organ sparing approaches are now standard for laryngeal cancer. These center on combined chemotherapy and radiation approaches; more recently induction multi-drug regimens are used to precede chemoradiation. Although NCCN lists only Taxol and cisplatin among tis platin containing regimens on p. 73 of its recommendations for laryngeal cancer, use of carboplatin instead of cisplatin is widespread and there are a number of phase II studies that support it. Carboplatin with 5FU is listed by NCCN. FDA approval for marketing has not been given.

Haddad R, Tishler RB, Norris CM, Mahadevan A, Busse P, Wirth L, Goguen LA, Sullivan CA, Costello R, Case MA, Posner MR. Docetaxel, cisplatin, 5-fluorouracil (TPF)-based induction chemotherapy for head and neck cancer and the case for sequential, combined-modality treatment.Oncologist. 2003;8(1):35-44.

nccn.org, head and neck

Eckardt A, Wildfang I, Karstens JH.Simultaneous radiochemotherapy with taxol/carboplatin in advanced operable head-neck tumors. Preliminary results. Strahlenther Onkol. 1999 Oct;175 Suppl 3:11-3.

AGARWALA S. S. et al, Long-term outcomes with concurrent carboplatin, paclitaxel and radiation therapy for locally advanced, inoperable head and neck cancer Annals of oncology 2007, vol. 18, no7, pp. 1224-1229

Bernier J., Domenge C., Ozsahin M., et al, Postoperative Irradiation with or without Concomitant Chemotherapy for Locally Advanced Head and Neck Cancer .N Engl J Med 2004; 350:1945 – 1952.

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