Abstract

Head and neck tumors are diagnosed in locally advanced stages up to 60%. The controversy lies in the choice between chemoradiotherapy vs induction chemotherapy. Retrospective descriptive study with 53 patients undergoing induction chemotherapy alone vs CRT + CRT in which we analyze the tolerability, organ preservation, recurrence rates, overall survival (OS) and disease-free survival (DFS). Within the group of induction (A), 86% (24/28) received 3 cycles TPF, while 14% (4/28) were treated with a doublet (platinum + taxol), being able to meet the treatment without delay or dose reduction of only 50%. Within non-induction group (B), 80% receive all doses and without delay, while 20% (5/25) failed to finish, fell 80 % (4/5) of them. They are not comparable groups as the most important difference is that those with more advanced (N2 disease) are in group A (92.8% cT3-T4 or N2) versus Group B (32% cT3N0). Conclusions: _ The Profile of our patients in the group of non-induction have more comorbidities and the earliest stages. Recurrence rates are similar in both groups, with a higher relapse and metastatic disease in the induction group (group A) because of more advanced tumors. _ We have to study new strategies for improving tolerance induction chemotherapy with cetuximab or nab-paclitaxel, and selecting best ones should receive concomitant cetuximab + RT.