Has anybody tried the TPF protocol? My son has tonsil ca T4 N2b M0. The onco did TPF, but dosage is reduced to almost 50% on all 3 drugs. Just wondering if this will be cause for recurrence?

Was your son treated with anything besides the chemo?

I second that question, usually tpf is given as a starter with a follow up of radiation and chemo.

Yes, I really hope that radiation is scheduled, along with probably more chemo.
Was the TPF induction chemo?
Tammy

I had TPF alone, and is usually done in three cycles three weeks apart, as neoadjunt therapy before Chemoradiation. I could only do one week, and was hospitalized for 187 days. Sounds like an exception, but in one study 50% of patients are unable to complete the remainder of treatment or continue curative treatment because of the toxicities with this, which is either surgery, radiation or chemoradiation, and why it was and still is controversial, but it works. Chemo alone does not cure this cancer, it acts as a radiosensitizer, and can shrink tumors, although this induction chemo can eradicate all cancer, it does not last, and cancer usually returns in less than a year, mine did at 8 months.

The week dosage is usually 160mg Taxotere, 160mg Cisplatin and 1600mg 5-FU.

If other treatments, as mentioned, are done, it can be curative. If Chemo, like TPF Induction chemo, is used alone, probably not.

My son had TPF every 21 days for 6 cycles. The MD said it was induction chemo, however, when I go online to research, induction chemo is only 2 -3 cycles. He is now having chemo/RT 6 doses of low cisplatin every week for 6 weeks concurrent with IMRT.

Yes, radiation is ongoing with low dose cisplatin

My son had TPF every 21 days for 6 cycles, took him 4.5 months. CT done, tonsil ca is gone but there are lymph node residuals. He is having chemoradiation with low dose cisplatin for 6 weeks and 34 IMRT. He is having a hard time with cisplatin and thinking of stopping the chemo and just go on with the radiation.

The typical number of TPF cycles is three, six is unusual. Maybe that accounts for the reduced dosing and the doubled number of cycles. Obviously a call to the MO can clear this up.

An alternative to cisplatin is carboplatin and generally an accepted alternative in cases where toxicity and side effects are of concern.

Make certain to make an informed decision on altering recommended treatment protocols. The chemo-radiation therapy is very tough on nearly all. If at all, tough it out as you want to kill this thing and never want to see it again. A few weeks of suffering now is worth the peace of mind that you and your team are doing everything possible. Don

But it took him 4.5 months to finish that treatment and now he is having a hard time with the chemoradiation. There are times he would say he's had enough. My son is actually in an Asian country and the MD's are saying it does not matter whether the ca is HPV based, the treatment is still for SCC. The second MD also said that the first chemo was too long and treatment has been delayed. Thanks for your encouraging words, will make sure I send it to him and maybe change his mind before he says no more to cisplatin. I am going to tell him about the carboplatin, too.