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Systemic Anti-Cancer Therapy Regimen Library

HN SQCC NON-Metastatic - cARBOplatin and fluorouracil chemoradiation

Treatment Overview

Commence regimen in relation to radiation therapy as per institutional policy.

Cycles 1 to 3 - 21 days

Cycle length:
21

Cycle details

Cycles 1 to 3 - 21 days

Medication Dose Route Days Max Duration
aprepitant 125 mg oral administration 1
aprepitant 80 mg oral administration 2, 3
dexamethasone * 8 mg oral administration 1, 2, 3
ondansetron 8 mg oral administration 1
cARBOplatin * 4 AUC (area under the curve) intravenous 1 60 minutes
fluorouracil * 2400 mg/m² intravenous 1 96 hours Min: 96 hours
ondansetron 8 mg oral administration 1
domperidone 10 mg Three times daily oral administration 1
loperamide 2 mg oral administration 1

Full details

Cycles 1 to 3 - 21 days

Day: 1

Medication Dose Route Max duration Details
aprepitant 125 mg oral administration
Instructions:
ONE hour prior to chemotherapy.
dexamethasone * 8 mg oral administration
Instructions:
ONE hour prior to chemotherapy with food.
ondansetron 8 mg oral administration
Instructions:
ONE hour prior to chemotherapy.
cARBOplatin * 4 AUC (area under the curve) intravenous 60 minutes
Instructions:
Hypersensitivity risk increases with number of cycles of cARBOplatin.
fluorouracil * 2400 mg/m² intravenous 96 hours Min: 96 hours
Instructions:
Continuous infusion via pump over 96 hours (equivalent to 600 mg/m²/day).
ondansetron 8 mg oral administration
Instructions:
EIGHT hours after chemotherapy OR before bed.
domperidone 10 mg Three times daily oral administration
Instructions:
When required for nausea and/or vomiting. The choice of rescue antiemetic may be substituted to reflect institutional policy or individual patient characteristics.
loperamide 2 mg oral administration
Instructions:
Take TWO capsules (=4 mg) at onset of loose bowel motions and a further ONE capsule (=2 mg) for every loose bowel motion (maximum of EIGHT capsules in 24 hours), or use as directed by oncologist or haematologist.

Day: 2

Medication Dose Route Max duration Details
aprepitant 80 mg oral administration
Instructions:
ONCE daily in the morning.
dexamethasone * 8 mg oral administration
Instructions:
ONCE daily in the morning with food.

Day: 3

Medication Dose Route Max duration Details
aprepitant 80 mg oral administration
Instructions:
ONCE daily in the morning.
dexamethasone * 8 mg oral administration
Instructions:
ONCE daily in the morning with food.

Supportive Care Factors

Factor Value
Diarrhoea risk: Anti-diarrhoeals are usually prescribed with this treatment
Emetogenicity: High
Growth factor support: Growth factor prophylaxis not recommended

References

Denis, F., P. Garaud, E. Bardet, et al. 2004. "Final results of the 94-01 French Head and Neck Oncology and Radiotherapy Group randomized trial comparing radiotherapy alone with concomitant radiochemotherapy in advanced-stage oropharynx carcinoma." J.Clin Oncol 22(1):69-76., PMID: 14657228

Pignon, J. P., A. le Maitre, E. Maillard, et al. 2009. "Meta-analysis of chemotherapy in head and neck cancer (MACH-NC): an update on 93 randomised trials and 17,346 patients." Radiother Oncol 92(1):4-14., PMID: 19446902

Calais, G., M. Alfonsi, E. Bardet, et al. 1999. "Randomized trial of radiation therapy versus concomitant chemotherapy and radiation therapy for advanced-stage oropharynx carcinoma." J.Natl.Cancer Inst. 91(24):2081-2086., PMID: 10601378

Staar S, Rudat V, et al. Intensified hyperfractionated accelerated radiotherapy limits the additional benefit of simultaneous chemotherapy--results of a multicentric randomized German trial in advanced head-and-neck cancer. Int J Radiat Oncol Biol Phys. 2001 Aug 1;50(5):1161-71. , PMID: 11483325

Boulanger J, Boursiquot JN, Cournoyer G, et al. Management of hypersensitivity to platinum- and taxane-based chemotherapy: cepo review and clinical recommendations. Curr Oncol. 2014;21(4):e630-e641., PMID: 25089112

Castells, M.C., Matulonis, U.A., and Horton, TM. Infusion reactions to systemic chemotherapy. Savarese DMF and Feldweg AM, ed. UpToDate. Waltham, MA: UpToDate Inc. https://www.uptodate.com/contents/infusion-reactions-to-systemic-chemotherapy (Accessed 26 March 2021).

* The medicines, doses, combinations, and schedule in this treatment regimen have been carefully reviewed against international best practice guidelines by specialists in medical oncology around New Zealand and this advice has been accepted for publication by Te Aho o Te Kahu (the Cancer Control Agency). Sometimes medicines that are used in routine clinical practice have not been through a formal review process by the NZ Medicines Regulator Medsafe and are therefore considered unapproved or off-label. These medicines are legally able to be prescribed through sections 25 and 29 of the Medicines Act and by obtaining informed consent from patients. All treatment regimens listed on this website have been through robust peer review and are considered an accepted standard of care, whether prescribed through sections 25 or 29 or carrying formal Medsafe Approval.

s29: This symbol indicates that some formulations of the associated medicine are legally only able to be prescribed under section 29 of the Medicines Act. You can see which formulations are section 29 by hovering over the s29 symbol. You can access full medication details from the New Zealand Formulary by clicking on the medication name. Each clinician retains full responsibility for ensuring they have complied with all relevant obligations and requirements of section 29 including obtaining informed patient consent prior to prescribing the applicable medicine.