Background: In locally advanced head and neck squamous cell carcinoma,
chemo-radiation with cisplatin 100 mg/m2 administered once every three weeks
is the standard of treatment. Because of its presumed reduced toxicity and
convenience, low-dose weekly cisplatin is increasingly being replaced. There is,
however, no level 1 proof of effectiveness equivalent to cisplatin / 3weeks.
Patient and methods: This is a retrospective comparative analysis. We
compare the response, side effect and survival functions of cisplatin in low dose
and high dose with concurrent radiotherapy in locally advanced head and neck
carcinoma.
Results: In our study, there's no statistically difference between the two groups
as regard the patients and tumor criteria. As regarding the side effect was
tolerated but statistically significant difference in hematological toxicities
anemia and leucopenia (p= 0.029, 0.001) between both groups and dysphagia
(p= 0.054). There's no significant difference in response and 3-year local control
in both groups. The 3-year overall survival was better in the 3-weekly dose
schedule than the low weekly dose with significant difference.
Conclusion: No significant differences between both treatment groups
regarding response rates, loco-regional free survival and most of treatment
toxicities. So, the weekly dose can be a good substitution to the three-weekly
dose with accepted toxicities, ease of administration and adequate cumulative
total dose.