My father was recently diagnosed with Stage III head and neck cancer of unknown primary. He began treatments this week. He is being given the new drug Erbitux, once a week for eight weeks and will begin agressive radiation next week. I know the drug Erbitux has been around a while but was recently approved for head and neck cancer. Anyone have any experience with this? My father is also trying the Amifostine injections and I pray he can tolerate them as he has a low tolerence for pain, etc.

Caregiver to Father:Stage III unknown primary; modified left side neck dissection 2/2006; 8 wk trmts of Erbitux 3/2006 with-37 radition treatments; 11.2010; biopsy of base of tongue results questionable. 9.2013 tumor on left side of tongue; squamous cell cancer. 10.2.2013 Hemiglossectomy(1/2 tongue removed) with reconstruct tongue using left thigh tissue;surgery included IORT.
25 additional IMRT radiation trtmts & 5 wks/chemo. Carbo & Taxol combo.NPO;100% PEG depend;aspiration pneumonia 3/2014