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Semin Plast Surg 2010; 24(2): 137-147
DOI: 10.1055/s-0030-1255331
© Thieme Medical Publishers

The Role of Chemotherapy in the Management of Patients with Head and Neck Cancer

Panayiotis Savvides1
  • 1CASE Western Reserve University School of Medicine, CASE Comprehensive Cancer Center, University Hospitals Medical Center, Cleveland, Ohio
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Publication History

Publication Date:
21 June 2010 (online)

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ABSTRACT

Recent advances in the management of patients with head and neck cancer point to an expanding role of chemotherapy, resulting in an increased involvement of the medical oncologist in the multidisciplinary care of these patients. This review focuses on patients with squamous cell carcinoma of the oral cavity, pharynx, and larynx. A comprehensive review of the clinical trial data that have defined new standards of care and a detailed presentation of widely used chemotherapeutic regimens, including both cytotoxic and molecularly targeted agents, are presented. Information on human papilloma virus–associated squamous cell cancer of the head and neck is presented, and implications in the clinical management of this subgroup of patients based on the epidemiologic and pathologic characteristics are discussed.

KEYWORDS

Cancer of the head and neck - chemotherapy - squamous cell carcinoma

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Panos SavvidesM.D. Ph.D. M.P.H. 

CASE School of Medicine, CASE Comprehensive Cancer Center, University Hospitals Medical Center

11100 Euclid Avenue, Cleveland, OH 44106-5055

Email: psavvides@case.edu

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