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Cetuximab as primary treatment for cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma to the neck
Author(s) -
Kim Sung,
Eleff Michael,
Nicolaou Nicos
Publication year - 2011
Publication title -
head and neck
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.012
H-Index - 127
eISSN - 1097-0347
pISSN - 1043-3074
DOI - 10.1002/hed.21299
Subject(s) - cetuximab , medicine , head and neck squamous cell carcinoma , lymph , oncology , radiation therapy , head and neck cancer , basal cell , head and neck , primary tumor , surgery , cancer , metastasis , pathology , colorectal cancer
Background. Head and neck cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) metastatic to lymph nodes is commonly treated with surgery plus radiotherapy.Methods. We present the case of a 92‐year‐old man with cutaneous SCC metastatic to the neck (7 cm) who was treated with primary cetuximab and has had a durable complete response for 7 months. Because of his age, comorbidities, and unresectable neck lymphadenopathy, he received primary cetuximab. He received a 400 mg/m 2 loading dose and a 250 mg/m 2 weekly dose for 3 months and then had to discontinue as a result of other unrelated medical issues.Results. The patient had a complete response by 6 weeks. Seven months after discontinuing cetuximab, he continues to have a complete response.Conclusions. Primary cetuximab for cutaneous SCC metastatic to lymph nodes is an area that bears further investigation because of its apparent efficacy and excellent toxicity profile. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Head Neck, 2011