[Guest]

Hello...
My husband is about to finish an eight week regime of radiation tx and lo dose carboplatin/taxol (for sensitization). The medical oncologist wants to then start him on high dose chemo for nine weeks (1 tx q 3 wks).

His primary was rt tonsil and he underwent a mod rad neck dissection. Path report indicates two + lymph nodes (the largest at 5mm) and that the tonsilar margins were not clear. No other indication of mets.

The rad oncologist feels that the hi dose treatment isn't indicated. We then sought a second opinion with a head/neck ca specialist who agrees that the literature doesn't support hi dose tx and it would put him at too high a risk for infection. The local med oncologist remains adamant...
What is your feeling on this issue?
Thanks for any input.

[Guest]

There is no data suggesting that adjuvant chemotherapy (what you refer to as hi dose) improves either the disease free or overall survival nor does it decrease the local recurrence rate. I would tend to agree with the rad onc and the 2nd opinion ENT physician. I can see no substantial benefit to giving the chemotherapy and it certainly does put the patient at risk of developing side effects. Thank you for using oncologychannel and good luck.
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