Hi,

My husband has just completed 4 out of 6 weeks of induction chemotherapy (2 rounds of cisplatin, taxotere, and 5-FU with the three types of chemo being given one week followed by two weeks off) and he will begin the chemo/radiation part of his treatment in two weeks. His MO tentatively plans to give him cisplatin for two weeks (50/week)with one week off and then again for two consecutive weeks of cisplatin again followed by a week off. He is getting radiation 5/week for 7 weeks. We think he is just getting cisplatin for those 4 weeks (weeks 1 and 2 and again on weeks 4 and 5)and no third round of chemo during the radiation (maybe because he has already had induction chemo? Maybe we misunderstood?). Has anyone here had a similar protocol? We've just been wondering what to expect with that level of chemo two weeks in a row as i've only seen people write about having a lower dose weekly or a higher does every third week.

Thanks- Sophie

My ct protocol was very basic compared to yours. I was scheduled for 3 Cisplatin treatments, three weeks apart commencing simultaneously with the first radiation treatment. They shortened the ct by one because of my extreme reaction to it.

We are seeing more and more different ct protocols these days. Chemo cocktails have proven efficacious for other forms of cancer and it appears to be the same for H&N as well. We commonly see Erbitux and Cisplatin or Carboplatin here. 5FU and Taxotere are not that common (for H&N) but several here have had those ct drugs as well.

Cisplatin is mainly used as an adjunct and enhancer for the radiation.

Sophie: Post and let us know how hubby's treatment is going. Has he completed his induction chemo yet? If so, what's next?

God bless! Lois & Buzz in NC