Hyperfractionated Radiotherapy With Concomitant Fluorouracil and Hydroxurea for Intermediate Stage Cancer of the Head and Neck
Hyperfractionated Radiotherapy With Concomitant Fluorouracil and Hydroxurea for Intermediate Stage Cancer of the Head and Neck
RATIONALE: Drugs used in chemotherapy use different ways to stop tumor cells from dividing so they stop growing or die. Radiation therapy uses high-energy x-rays to damage tumor cells. Combining radiation therapy with chemotherapy may kill more tumor cells.
PURPOSE: Phase II trial to study the effectiveness of chemotherapy plus radiation therapy in treating patients with head and neck cancer.
OBJECTIVES:
OUTLINE: Patients receive concomitant chemoradiotherapy with curative intent. Patients who have microscopic or macroscopic residual disease 6 weeks after completion of chemoradiotherapy will receive a surgical salvage procedure.
The first cycle of chemotherapy will begin with PO doses of hydroxyurea every 12 hours on days 0-5. Fluorouracil is given IV on days 0-4. Radiation therapy BID is given on days 1-6. Cycles repeat every 14 days for a total of 5 cycles.
The disease will be reevaluated 4-6 weeks after completion of all treatment, every 3 months for 1 year, then yearly.
PROJECTED ACCRUAL: Approximately 40 patients will be accrued for this study.
DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS:
PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS:
Age:
Performance status:
Life expectancy:
Hematopoietic:
Hepatic:
Renal:
Cardiovascular:
Pulmonary:
Other:
PRIOR CONCURRENT THERAPY:
Biologic therapy:
Chemotherapy:
Endocrine therapy:
Radiotherapy:
Surgery:
Chicago, Illinois 60611-3013, United States