Mature results of a Phase III randomized trial comparing concurrent chemoradiotherapy with radiation therapy alone in patients with Stage III and IV squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck

Abstract

The addition of concurrent chemotherapy to definitive radiation in patients with resectable Stage III and IV squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck improves the likelihood of disease clearance, a recurrence free interval, and primary site preservation. However, overall survival does not appear to be improved, reflecting both effective surgical salvage after local recurrence and competing causes of death.