Review article

Systemic therapy of head and neck carcinoma

Robert Šeparović orcid.org/0000-0002-4002-2699 ; Department of Medical Oncology, University Hospital for Tumors, Sestre milosrdnice University Hospital Center, Zagreb, Croatia
Mirjana Pavlović orcid.org/0000-0002-9633-064X ; Department of Medical Oncology, University Hospital for Tumors, Sestre milosrdnice University Hospital Center, Zagreb, Croatia
Tajana Silovski orcid.org/0000-0002-4699-5432 ; Department of Medical Oncology, University Hospital for Tumors, Sestre milosrdnice University Hospital Center, Zagreb, Croatia
Ana Tečić Vuger orcid.org/0000-0003-2203-161X ; Department of Medical Oncology, University Hospital for Tumors, Sestre milosrdnice University Hospital Center, Zagreb, Croatia
Andreja Jurić orcid.org/0000-0002-7539-2278 ; Department of Medical Oncology, University Hospital for Tumors, Sestre milosrdnice University Hospital Center, Zagreb, Croatia

Abstract

Systemic therapy of head and neck carcinoma is reserved for locally advanced and metastatic disease. Concomitant use of cisplatin and irradiation is still standard protocol for treatment of locally advanced disease although immunoradiotherapy with cetuximab seems to be a good alternative with similar results. The best option for fi rst-line treatment of advanced or metastatic disease is polychemotherapy with addition of cetuximab in patients in good clinical condition. Limited options are available for second-line therapy mostly due to poor performance status of the patients. HPV-positive tumors make a special subgroup of HNSCC in which targeted therapy plays the most important role.

Keywords

squamous cell carcinoma; head and neck; cisplatin; cetuximab; radiotherapy; human papillomavirus

Hrčak ID:

177240

URI

https://hrcak.srce.hr/177240

Publication date:

28.12.2016.

Article data in other languages: croatian

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