Head and neck cancers

Question 1

Treatments

Answer 1

For very early small tumors, surgery and radiotherapy are equally effective.

Locally advanced,

• Surgery followed by radiotherapy and chemotherapy.
• Cervical lymph node dissection or radiotherapy (but not for sinus tumors)
• Or induction chemotherapy before surgery, followed by radiotherapy or bioradiotherapy.

For metastatic/ very advanced - palliative radiotherapy.

Surgery is always preferred for oral cavity

Question 2

Chemo agents used for head and neck cancers

Answer 2

Cisplatin

Cetuximab

Induction chemo - TPF
Taxotere, Platinum, 5-FU

Palliative chemo - EPF
Erbitux, Platinum, 5-FU

6 cycles, every 3 weeks.