Adjuvant treatment for post-operative head and neck squamous cell carcinoma

Jpn J Clin Oncol. 2015 Jan;45(1):2-6. doi: 10.1093/jjco/hyu195. Epub 2014 Nov 19.

Abstract

One of the mainstays of treatment for locally advanced head and neck squamous cell carcinoma is surgery. However, for post-operative patients with high-risk factors for recurrence, surgery alone is insufficient and improving survival requires adjuvant treatment after surgery. Unlike with most other malignancies, the standard adjuvant treatment for post-operative head and neck cancer patients with high-risk factors for recurrence is radiotherapy concurrent with chemotherapy. This review article focuses on the history and future perspectives of adjuvant treatment for post-operative head and neck squamous cell carcinoma.

Keywords: adjuvant treatment; chemoradiotherapy; head and neck cancer; high-risk factors for recurrence.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Antineoplastic Agents / therapeutic use*
  • Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / pathology
  • Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / prevention & control
  • Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / therapy*
  • Chemoradiotherapy, Adjuvant / methods
  • Chemotherapy, Adjuvant
  • Disease-Free Survival
  • Head and Neck Neoplasms / pathology
  • Head and Neck Neoplasms / prevention & control
  • Head and Neck Neoplasms / therapy*
  • Humans
  • Lymphatic Metastasis / prevention & control
  • Neoplasm Recurrence, Local / prevention & control*
  • Neoplasm Staging
  • Postoperative Period
  • Radiotherapy, Adjuvant
  • Risk Assessment
  • Risk Factors
  • Time Factors

Substances

  • Antineoplastic Agents