De-intensification of Radiation & Chemotherapy in Low-Risk Human Papillomavirus-related Oropharyngeal Squamous Cell Ca
Status:
Completed
Trial end date:
2019-11-01
Target enrollment:
Participant gender:
Summary
The purpose of this research study is to learn about the effectiveness of using
lower-intensity radiation and chemotherapy to treat human papillomavirus (HPV) associated
low-risk oropharyngeal and/or unknown primary squamous cell carcinomas of the head and neck.
The cure rate for this type of cancer is estimated to be high, > 90%. The standard treatment
for this cancer is 7 weeks of radiation with 3 high doses of cisplatin. Sometimes surgery is
performed afterwards. This standard regimen causes a lot of side effects and long term
complications. This study is evaluating whether a lower dose of radiation and chemotherapy
may provide a similar cure rate as the longer, more intensive standard regimen. Patients in
this study will receive 1 less week of radiation and a lower weekly dose of chemotherapy
followed by a limited surgical evaluation.