Study Finds Promising Chemoradiation Therapy

Newswise — Advanced cancer in the head and neck is traditionally treated with surgery followed by radiotherapy. Surgery usually entails removal of areas like the voice box, or part of the throat, leading to speaking and swallowing problems. Because of these side effects, many patients refuse surgery.

In a study to be presented at the 2007 AAO-HNSF Annual Meeting & OTO EXPO, a novel treatment for chemoradiation, using the generic drug Paclitaxel in conjunction with radiotherapy, has shown superior results to other anticancer drugs used in chemoradiation with fewer side effects. The study comprised 94 previously untreated patients with cancer of the head and neck (stages 3 and 4) who were treated with concomitant chemoradiation over a three-year period (2003-2005) in a medical college hospital. The patients were divided into two groups, with one group receiving concomitant chemotherapy (CT) with Paclitaxel, while the other group received concomitant chemotherapy with Cisplatin. In each group, six cycles of chemotherapy were given on a weekly basis. Results indicate that Paclitaxel is associated with better locoregional control of the cancer at the end of 1 year. However, long term follow up did not reveal significant differences in locoregional control and overall survival in the two groups.

Findings from the study may lead to more effective treatments for head and neck cancer for patients who are unwilling or unable to undergo surgery, and in areas where hospitals do not have the proper facilities to perform traditional chemoradiation treatments.

Title: Chemoradiation in Advanced Head and Neck CancersAuthors: Sohit Paul Kanotra, Ashutosh Gupta, Sonika Kanotra, Jitender Paul Kanotra.Date: Sunday, September 16, 10:32 am - 10:40 am

Information for the MediaThe AAO-HNS Annual Meeting newsroom will be located in Registration East, Street Level of the Washington, DC Convention Center. Hours of operation: Saturday, September 15, 12 pm to 5 pm; Sunday - Tuesday, September 16 -18, 7:30 am to 5 pm; and Wednesday, September 19, 7:30 am to 2 pm. The newsroom serves as a work space for credentialed members of the media and credentialed public relations staff. The newsroom is managed and staffed by the AAO-HNS Communications Unit. Please see the AAO-HNS website for media credentialing requirements for the event - http://www.entnet.org/ent-press/online_reg.cfm.

About the AAO-HNSThe American Academy of Otolaryngology " Head and Neck Surgery (http://www.entnet.org), one of the oldest medical associations in the nation, represents more than 12,000 physicians and allied health professionals who specialize in the diagnosis and treatment of disorders of the ears, nose, throat, and related structures of the head and neck. The Academy serves its members by facilitating the advancement of the science and art of medicine related to otolaryngology and by representing the specialty in governmental and socioeconomic issues. The organization's mission: "Working for the Best Ear, Nose, and Throat Care."