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Current Systemic Therapy Options for Head and Neck Cancers

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Radiation Therapy for Head and Neck Cancers

Abstract

Head and neck cancers refer to heterogeneous group of tumors extending from the lips to the lower esophagus. Squamous cell cancer is the most common histologic variant, accounting approximately 90–95 % of head and neck cancers. The incidence of head and neck cancer still continues to increase worldwide with approximately half million cases per year [1]. In the United States, it is estimated about 55.070 new head and neck cancers will occur in 2014 which account for up to 3 % of cancer cases [2]. In 2014, it is estimated that 12.000 deaths will occur from head and neck cancer in the United States. In Europe, it is estimated about 139.000 new cases of head and neck cancer per year [3]. In Europe, the 1-year survival rate was 72 %, whereas 5-year survival rate was only 42 % for head and neck cancers in adults [3].

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Abbreviations

CF:

Cisplatin-fluorouracil

EORTC:

European Organization for Research and Treatment Cancer

GETTEC:

French Groupe d’Etude des Tumeurs de la Tête et du Cou trial

GORTEC:

French Head and Neck Oncology Radiotherapy Group

OS:

Overall survival

PFS:

Progression-free survival

TCF:

Docetaxel-cisplatin-fluorouracil

VALCSG:

The Department of Veterans Affairs Laryngeal Cancer Study Group

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Sendur, M.A.N., Aksoy, S. (2015). Current Systemic Therapy Options for Head and Neck Cancers. In: Beyzadeoglu, M., Ozyigit, G., Selek, U. (eds) Radiation Therapy for Head and Neck Cancers. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-10413-3_2

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