Background: In locally advanced squamous cell carcinoma of head and neck regionthe most widely used drug in concurrent chemoradiation is cisplatin but the optimal regimen of cisplatin is still not defined. The aim of this study was to determine the efficacy of CCRT with weekly cisplatin vs 3 weekly cisplatin and 5 fluorouracil and to compare it with conventional radiotherapy only treatment. We also evaluated the toxicity of the 3 arms.

Material and Method: Outcome data of 60 patients of histologically proven squamous cell carcinoma of head and neck treated between 2007-2010 was analysed. 20 patients had received only conventional RT; 20 patients had received conventional RT along with weekly cisplatin and 20 patients had received conventional RT along with cisplatin & 5-FU on D1-D4 &D22-25 of RT.

Results: At 5 years overall survival was 25% in the RT only arm, 50% in the weekly cisplatin arm and 35% in the 3 weekly cisplatin and 5-FU arm. The DFS was 20%, 40% &25% respectively in the 3 arms.

Conclusion: Patients treated with weekly cisplatin CCRT had a higher 5 year OS and DFS as compared to those treated with 3 weekly cisplatin & 5FU CCRT or RT alone.

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Dr Tabassum Samani

Assistant Professor, Department of Radiotherapy, S.N. Medical College & hospital, Agra, Uttar Pradesh, INDIA