The management of patients undergoing synchronous combined chemotherapy and radiotherapy

This paper describes the management of patients undergoing synchronous combined chemotherapy and radiotherapy at King's College Hospital. It is based on the experience of treating 96 patients with carcinoma of the head and neck between 1974-1978. A detailed account is given of the method of conducting the treatment. The routine assessment, investigations and follow-up are described, together with the complications due to individual drugs and general effects of combined therapy and their management. Great stress is laid on the need for active, intensive nursing care of these patients.