Comparison of Concomitant Cisplatin Versus Carboplatin and 5-fluorouracil With Radiotherapy for Locally Advanced Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma

Concomitant chemoradiotherapy improves overall survival in patients with locally advanced head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (LA-HNSCC) compared to radiotherapy alone. Cisplatin 100 mg/m2 at day 1, 22 and 43 is widely used but results in considerable acute and late toxicity. Three cycles of carboplatin plus 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) is an accepted alternative but both chemotherapy regimens have not been compared prospectively. The aim of this study is to compare tolerability, efficacy, toxicity and quality of life in patients with LA-HNSCC treated with concomitant cisplatin and carboplatin plus 5-FU.