Drug therapy for recurrence after chemoradiotherapy

Most head and neck cancer patients are advanced stage when first diagnosed and about half of them receive chemoradiotherapy (CRT) because the cancer is unresectable or there is hope of functional preservation. In subsequent treatment for recurrence after CRT, many of them receive chemotherapy with or without reirradiation. There are three situations when chemotherapy is used for recurrence after CRT: 1. Re-chemoradiotherapy (Re-CRT) in the adjuvant setting after salvage surgery 2. Re-CRT for cases who cannot receive salvage surgery. 3. Chemotherapy for cases who cannot receive salvage surgery or Re-CRT. In the first situation, Re-CRT is expected to yield a better outcome, but there is concern about severe adverse events, so special care in selecting patients is required. In the second situation, there are some negative comments about Re-CRT, and so cases must be judged individually. In the third situation, there are some choices of treatment, but EBM is based on past large clinical trials, so the treatment based on a guideline or guidance is recommended. Recently, new drugs have been invented and approved in the world, though their cost is increasing rapidly. It is necessary to provide the best treatment that also takes cost-effectiveness into consideration. (author)