.

Chemotherapy is used as an induction

therapy prior to local therapies,
simultaneous chemotherapy (concurent
CCRT),and adjuvant chemotherapy after
local treatment.
It promotes initial tumour reduction and
early treatment of micrometastases.
Initial tumour response to chemotherapy
prior to radiotherapy may predict tumour
responsiveness

AGENTS USED:
Alkylating agents:
cisplatin,cyclophosphamide
Antimetabolites: 5fluorouracil,methotrexate
Antitumor
antibiotics:bleomycin,actinomycinD
Plant(vinca)
alkaloids;vincristine,vinblastine
Steroids hormones:

Concurrent chemo and radiotherapy are

now standard of care for stage3 and 4
primary therapy and following surgery for
diseases with poor prognostic findings
Newer agents such as EGFR(epidermal
growth factor receptor) modulator are
currently being defined in t/t of HNSCC.
Bevacizumab and erlotinib,
Capcitabine Interferon alpha 2b

complications :
Mucositis,
Nausea & vomiting,
bone marrow suppression ,
diarrhoea
Infections
Alopecia