Does anyone have any experience with 5FU and Cisplatin AFTER being treated with Cisplatin/IMRT radiation? Is it worth it? any studies or stats?

I do not have an answer for you but I am also interested in this.

I am currently undergoing IMRT with weekly (30mg/m2) cisplatin. So far I have done 14 rads and 2 cisplatin treatments. At the lower dose there is in my case hardly any nausea (so far) After IMRT it is planned to escalate to 5FU/cisplatin/taxotere IF that is feasible (cisplatin).

Some stuff:
http://www.cancer.gov/clinicaltrials/head-and-neck-cancer-updates
Look at #7. However I found nothing that was specific and with results for different chemo regiments AFTER RT.

When my husband was treated for SCC of the tonsil in 2002, he had concurrent chemorad after a tonsillectomy and then had what the MO called "consolidation therapy" a few months after. The drugs used were Cisplatin and 5FU. He was pretty sick, lost his hair, and dropped weight.

I don't know what the studies indicate, but my husband did experience a recurrence about four years after. I suppose one could speculate that the additional chemo kept the cancer in check for that additional time, or one could also speculate that it did no good whatsoever. Who really knows.

I will share that he was treated with more Cisplatin and additional radiation with the recurrence and is doing well.

Good luck.

Loretta

My husband was also told to have 3 additional chemo after completing his 3 rounds of cisplastin and 39 rads. He had a horrible time. they gave him a month off and wanted to do the 5FU I asked for an alternative and they said he could do carbo/taxol for 3 rounds- 3 weeks apart. I asked what the outcome would be. They really didn't have any numbers but the MO told us something like if 100 people take these extra 3 treatments 25 mite not have a reaccurence.(notice the word mite) Well thoes numbers did not impress my husband since he had such a hard time so far through the treatments. So he agreed to try one which we did on 6/11. He was still so sick from it. So now he has opted to not take the last two. So that is were we are now. This is a long and slow process. He just wants to get his strength back. Good luck to you.

DEar LJ. I'm wondering how you are doing with his decision not to take any more chemo? ARe you dealing with this O.K.? Amy in the Oz

Amy thanks for asking. I am fine with his decision. We have been up the past few nites when he was so sick and its hard to take. He said he will take his chances and thats fine with me. If they had given us 80-100% that this won't come back I think we would think different. After reading all these post and seeing what the people went through only to have a reoccurance well he said he will leave it in God's hands. He just wants to start feeling better. So... thats where we are. one day at a time. I am just so weary with all of this and I can imagine how he must feel. He has a pet scan scheduled for July 6th so we will see then. Thanks and God Bless,LJ