Abstract: Definitive treatment for locoregionally advanced squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck region (HNSCC) is challenging, and usually require multidisciplinary efforts involving surgery, radiotherapy, and chemotherapy. Although surgery followed by radiation or chemoradiation therapy remains the standard treatment for resectable disease, combined chemoradiation therapy provides an effective option with organ spearing potential. In addition, combined chemoradiation therapy is the only treatment option for non-metastatic advanced HNSCC. Recently published results from TAX323 and TAX324, two important randomized clinical trials on the efficacy of induction chemotherapy using docetaxel based regimen, showed that induction chemotherapy using TPF can significantly improve patients’ survival as compared to the conventional PF regimen. However, whether TP or TPF induction chemotherapy should be combined with concurrent chemoradiation and considered as part of the standard treatment regimen remains controversial, and requires support from the results of well-designed randomized clinical trial.

Key words: Carcinoma of the head and neck region, Radiotherapy, Chemotherapy