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Locally advanced head and neck cancer

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Opinion statement

The simultaneous administration of chemotherapy and radiation has produced a significant impact on the treatment of advanced squamous cell carcinomas of the head and neck. Although no single regimen has emerged as the “standard” approach, recent trials have consistently demonstrated the superiority of combined treatment programs over radiotherapy alone for local tumor control and overall survival. More-over, multimodal treatment has emerged with important ancillary goals of organ preservation, improved cosmesis, and enhancement of quality of life. With improving survival in all stages of disease, much attention can be given to identifying effective measures to reduce the risk of metachronous primary cancers in this high-risk group.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Thoracic/Head and Neck Medical Oncology, University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center, 1515 Holcombe Boulevard, Box 0800, 77030, Houston, Texas, USA

    Merrill S. Kies MD

  2. Chicago VA Healthcare System/Lakeside Division, 400 E. Ontario Avenue, 60611, Chicago, IL, USA

    Charles L. Bennett MD, PhD

  3. University of Chicago, 5841 S. Maryland Avenue, MC 2115, 60637, Chicago, IL, USA

    Everett E. Vokes MD

Authors
  1. Merrill S. Kies MD
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  2. Charles L. Bennett MD, PhD
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  3. Everett E. Vokes MD
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Kies, M.S., Bennett, C.L. & Vokes, E.E. Locally advanced head and neck cancer. Curr. Treat. Options in Oncol. 2, 7–13 (2001). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11864-001-0012-x

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11864-001-0012-x

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