Indications:

Advice and side-effects of some of the most common regimens can be obtained by clicking on the headings below:

Palliation

Responses in the order of 30% are likely. Toxicity is not insignificant. Palliative chemotherapy should only be offered if other measures have failed and it is felt that the quality of life of the patient will be improved. Patients should have an evaluation of quality of life measured at each visit (clinicians assessment) and a formal objective assessment of tumour at 3 cycles. If there is no improvement in either of these the chemotherapy is usually stopped.

An overall benefit in squamous cell carcinoma has not been established. There are certain sub-groups however which may benefit:-

[1] Nasopharyngeal carcinoma (UCNT). In oriental patients a clear benefit has been established, in terms of overall survival and disease free survival, chemotherapy should be offered in these cases. A benefit has also been established in non-Orientals albeit to a lesser extent. There is a case for patients with gross lymphadenopathy and patients with a large lymph node in the upper deep cervical node region. A reduction in size in this node complements the optimal radiotherapy technique. The most established Chemotherapy regimen is BEC (see below)

[2] Head and neck Lymphoma. Lymphoma type regimens are usually given before local radiotherapy

A benefit has been demonstrated but it substantially increases morbidity - most patients would not tolerate it. Concomitant Chemotherapy should not compromise the radiotherapy dose.

Further general information Your doctors and specialist nurses are in an ideal position to give you relevant information on your disease and treatment as they know your individual circumstances. Cancerbackup has a help line (0808 800 1234) and a prize winning video available in English, Italian, Urdu, Bengali, Gujarati & Hindi explaining Radiotherapy & Chemotherapy. Cancernet.co.uk has over 500 pages describing cancer, its management, practical tips and tool which patients, their carers and their doctors have found helpful during the cancer journey.