Chemo-radiation as postoperative treatment of head and neck cancers

The combination of surgery and radiation therapy is the treatment of choice for many head and neck cancers. Most failures are local and/or regional. Histological parameters can predict tumour control. A review of the literature shows that results can be improved using concomitant chemo-radiation. However, ongoing trials are still testing concomitant chemo-radiation, as well as the effects of multi-drug chemo-therapy on the prevention of distant metastasis. (author)