• Head and Neck Cancer Disease Site Group. Hodson DI, Browman GP, Thephamongkhol K, Oliver T, Zuraw L. The role of amifostine as a radioprotectant in the management of patients with squamous cell head and neck cancer [full report]. Toronto (ON): Cancer Care Ontario (CCO); 2004 Mar [online update]. 22 p. (Practice guideline report; no. 5-8). [26 references]

• On the basis of the available data, amifostine is recommended as an effective treatment option for the reduction of acute and chronic xerostomia associated with radical conventionally fractionated radiotherapy, given to patients in the head and neck region encompassing at least 75% of the parotid glands, with or without standard dose carboplatin.
• The recommended dose and administration of amifostine is an intravenous infusion 15 to 30 minutes prior to radiation, with standard doses of 500 mg or doses ranging from 200 mg/m² to 300 mg/m². The Head and Neck Cancer Disease Site Group would be supportive of randomized trials designed to compare amifostine delivered subcutaneously versus intravenously.
• Data on the protective effect of amifostine from mucositis are inconclusive at this time.

None provided

The recommendations are supported by randomized controlled trials and meta-analysis.

• Head and Neck Cancer Disease Site Group. Hodson DI, Browman GP, Thephamongkhol K, Oliver T, Zuraw L. The role of amifostine as a radioprotectant in the management of patients with squamous cell head and neck cancer [full report]. Toronto (ON): Cancer Care Ontario (CCO); 2004 Mar [online update]. 22 p. (Practice guideline report; no. 5-8). [26 references]

Not applicable: The guideline was not adapted from another source.

2003 Apr 9 (revised online 2004 Mar)

Program in Evidence-based Care - State/Local Government Agency [Non-U.S.]

The Practice Guidelines Initiative (PGI) is the main project of the Program in Evidence-based Care (PEBC), a Province of Ontario initiative sponsored by Cancer Care Ontario and the Ontario Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care.

Cancer Care Ontario
Ontario Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care

Provincial Head and Neck Cancer Disease Site Group

Members of the Head and Neck Cancer Disease Site Group disclosed potential conflict of interest information.

None available

This summary was completed by ECRI on January 23, 2004. The information was verified by the guideline developer as of February 25, 2004. This summary was updated by ECRI on May 21, 2004. The updated information was verified by the guideline developer on June 2, 2004.