Role of induction chemotherapy for oral cavity squamous cell carcinoma

Patients with locoregionally advanced oral cavity squamous cell carcinoma have a poor prognosis. Treatment involves extensive surgery and adjuvant radiation or chemoradiation, and results in high morbidity. A study at MD Anderson Cancer Center (Houston, TX) evaluated induction chemotherapy for locoregionally advanced OCSCC. After two cycles of IC, 63.3% of patients achieved at least partial response (10.8% complete response). Organ preservation was achieved in 40.8% of patients who had a favorable response to IC. Among the responders the 5-year overall survival and disease-specific survival were 60.1% and 78.5%, respectively.