Cancers & treatments·Regimen libraryChemoradiation

High-dose cisplatin chemoradiation

Checked 2026-09-09

Locally advanced head and neck squamous cell carcinoma, definitive or postoperative (positive margins or extranodal extension)

One cycle

every 21 days × 3 · about 9 weeks in total

21-day cycle × 3 with 70 Gy in 35 fractions (2 cycles is often all that is delivered) (about 9 weeks)IntravenousRadiotherapy

Components

Drug	Dose	Route	Days	Note
Cisplatin Cytotoxic chemotherapy (platinum)	100 mg/m² (weekly 40 mg/m² is the alternative)	IV	D1
Radiotherapy	2 Gy per fraction, 5 days a week	Radiotherapy	D1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19

Cycles

3 with 70 Gy in 35 fractions (2 cycles is often all that is delivered)

21-day cycle

Emetogenicity

High (>90%)

G-CSF

Not routine

Notes

Cumulative cisplatin of at least 200 mg/m² is the target; ototoxicity and nephrotoxicity are the cost.

Used in

Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma Nasopharyngeal carcinoma

Trials

RTOG 0129 (HPV analysis)NRG-HN002 & NRG-HN005 (HPV+ de-escalation)

Products

Cisplatin

Source

NCCN Head and Neck Cancers; RTOG 0129; Bernier/Cooper, NEJM 2004

Reference doses for a typical adult from the cited protocol or label. Doses are adjusted for renal and hepatic function, age, performance status and prior toxicity, and institutional protocols vary. Verify against the current label and your local protocol before treating. Not medical advice.