[Role and interest of induction chemotherapy for head and neck cancers]

Induction chemotherapy must be integrated in a global approach for locally advanced head and neck cancer. Its use has theoretical advantages but should not compromise locoregional radiotherapy. Induction chemotherapy is a standard for organ preservation with the use of the TPF scheme to avoid total laryngectomy without compromising survival data. It is more controversial in other locally advanced head and neck cancer because concurrent chemoradiotherapy is the standard of care. It may be an option for patients with significant lymph node invasion to reduce the occurrence of distant metastasis.