• Head and Neck Cancer Disease Site Group. Thephamongkhol K, Browman G, Hodson I, Oliver T, Zuraw L. Chemotherapy with radiotherapy for nasopharyngeal cancer. Toronto (ON): Cancer Care Ontario (CCO); 2004 Dec. 24 p. (Evidence-based series; no. 5-7). [31 references]

• It is recommended that cisplatin-based concurrent radiochemotherapy be routinely offered to patients with newly diagnosed locally advanced squamous cell or undifferentiated nasopharyngeal cancer (stage III or IV).
• Of the four trials with cisplatin-based concurrent chemotherapy that showed a significant overall survival difference, two included adjuvant chemotherapy, while two did not. It is recommended that either treatment approach may be offered to this patient population.

None provided

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

• Head and Neck Cancer Disease Site Group. Thephamongkhol K, Browman G, Hodson I, Oliver T, Zuraw L. Chemotherapy with radiotherapy for nasopharyngeal cancer. Toronto (ON): Cancer Care Ontario (CCO); 2004 Dec. 24 p. (Evidence-based series; no. 5-7). [31 references]

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

2003 Jul 22 (revised 2004 Dec)

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

The Program in Evidence-based Care (PEBC), is a project supported 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 Disease Site Group disclosed potential conflict of interest information.

None available

This NGC summary was completed by ECRI on June 29, 2004. The information was verified by the guideline developer on July 19, 2004. This NGC summary was updated by ECRI on August 12, 2005. The updated information was verified by the guideline developer on September 13, 2005.