Outcomes of Induction Chemotherapy for Head and Neck Cancer Patients: A Combined Study of Two National Cohorts in Taiwan.

ABSTRACT: The use of induction chemotherapy (CT) is controversial. We compared the survival of head and neck cancer patients receiving docetaxel- or platinum-based induction CT before concomitant chemoradiotherapy (CCRT) with the survival of those receiving upfront CCRT alone. Data from the National Health Insurance and cancer registry databases in Taiwan were linked and analyzed. We enrolled patients who had head and neck cancer between January 1, 2002 and December 31, 2011. Follow-up was from the index date to December 31, 2013. We included head and neck patients diagnosed according to the International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision, Clinical Modification codes 140.0-148.9 who were aged >20 years, at American Joint Committee on Cancer clinical cancer stage III or IV, and receiving ind

SUBMITTER: Chen JH 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4998647 | biostudies-literature | 2016 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature