Squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck is the sixth most common malignancy worldwide with approximately 500,000 cases worldwide yearly. There were an estimated 39,250 new cases and 11,000 deaths in the United States in 2005 (Jemal 2005, Spitz MR). Despite major improvements in the treatment of SCCHN in recent years which include the introduction of concurrent chemoradiotherapy as an effective primary or postoperative therapy, the five-year survival rate for patients with SCCHN in the United States and other developed countries remains poor as nearly 50-60% of these patients will die as a direct result of recurrent locoregional disease. This study aims to determine the 1-year progression-free survival (PFS) of previously irradiated patients with squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck (SCCHN) treated with radiosurgery and cetuximab and to evaluate the acute and late toxicities associated with the therapy.
This trial examines survival and toxicity in previously irradiated patients with squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck (SCCHN) treated with radiosurgery and cetuximab and to evaluate the acute and late toxicities associated with the above therapy.