Chemoprevention of Upper Aerodigestive Tract Cancer

摘要: Head and neck cancer is a major cause of cancer-related deaths (1). In the United States alone, head fifth most common cancer, with approximately 45,400 cases anticipated for year 2002 approx 12,600 deaths. We expect that more than 600,000 will have been diagnosed worldwide in (2). The complexity treatment relates to substantial progress surgery, concomitant chemoradiation therapy, intensity-modulated radiotherapy over past few decades. At least six active chemotherapeutic agents are available this disease, but 5-yr survival rate has improved only slightly since 1960s. overwhelming functional consequences its effect on daily life (including problems speech, swallowing, profound cosmetic defects), subsequent loss self-esteem social status make it particularly serious illness. Further, patients fortunate enough be cured often succumb second smoking-related cancer. addition, metachronous primary cancers high-risk group continue confound care providers. Some studies indicate these determinants overall prognosis definitively treated early-stage disease (3).