Is Erbitux indicated for use in conjunction with radiation therapy for an unknown primary head and neck cancer with a positive lymph node presentation on the right side at level 2B.? The PET scan was negative and the path report showed it to be basaloid squamous cell. Is cisplatin a better choice considering the probability of distant mets?
Hi, Thanks for writing in. Neck cancer if detected in early stages can be treated initially by surgery and follow up might require chemotherapy and radiation therapy. Erbium (rituximab) is a cancer medication that interferes with the growth of cancer cells and slows their growth and spread in the body. This helps in treatment of head and neck cancers. It can be given along with radiation therapy also. Combining cisplatin or rituximab with radiation improves overall survival of patients with stage III or IV head and neck carcinoma. Concerning erbium or cisplatin, both are effective in treatment of head and neck cancer. When radiation therapy is combined with chemotherapy, additional benefit is obtained. In a research study, cisplatin and radiation therapy patients achieved better disease control than those treated with erbium and radiation therapy. Please do not worry.