Lisa, They did a big Phase III clinical trial using cisplatin with radiation the results of which were published in the New England Jounral of Medicine in 2004. Obviously it was being used before that, but with less certitude about how much benefit it added. That study in 04, as well as another done in Europe that came out at the same time, showed a reduction in recurrences by as much as 16% over people (with Stage III and IV cancers) who were just given radiation treatment alone.

Joanna's right cisplatin has been around for a long time. The nurse-practitioner in my MO's office has been an oncology nurse for over 25 years and rememebrs the early days of cisplatin, when there were no anti-emitics that could come close to controlling the nausea it produces. Thank goodness I wasn't treated then!

Nelie


SCC(T2N0M0) part.glossectomy & neck dissect 2/9/05 & 2/25/05.33 IMRT(66 Gy),2 Cisplatin ended 06/03/05.Stage I breast cancer treated 2/05-11/05.Surgery to remove esophageal stricture 07/06, still having dilatations to keep esophagus open.Dysphagia. "When you're going through hell, keep going"