[Radio-chemotherapy in head and neck cancer (EGFR+)]

Abstract

Squamous-cell carcinoma of the head and neck are neoplasic diseases for which locoregional control remains very important, given its particular pattern of failure. Treatment of early stage disease involves surgery or radiation therapy. Locally advanced disease is treated either with concurrent chemoradiotherapy or surgery followed by radio-chemotherapy, according to each center's expertise. Recent research has demonstrated that the overexpression of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) is associated with tumor progression. Based on this research, a new type of anticancer therapy, so-called "targeted therapies" represent important additions to the current therapeutic arsenal in the management of head and neck cancers, based on results of a phase III trial combining radiotherapy and immunotherapy with cetuximab.