[Complete response in a case of advanced oropharyngeal cancer (T4aN2bM0) treated with concomitant cetuximab and radiotherapy].

We report favorable results achieved using a combination of cetuximab and radiotherapy to treat an elderly patient with advanced oropharyngeal cancer complicated by cardiovascular disease and renal dysfunction.The case was a 78-year-old man who was referred to our hospital with the chief complaint of pharyngeal pain and swelling of the right side of the neck. The patient was diagnosed with oropharyngeal cancer (T4aN2bM0) based on a cytological diagnosis of Class V squamous cell carcinoma and CT findings.Because the patient had a history of hypertension, chronic renal failure, diabetes mellitus, cerebral infarction, angina pectoris, and prostate cancer, we determined that surgical excision and chemoradiotherapy using platinum-based drugs would be difficult.We therefore treated the patient with a combination of cetuximab and radiotherapy. Grade 3 mucous membrane disorder and Grade 2 dermatitis were observed during the course of treatment, but the treatment was completed without any other adverse events.A contrasted CT image taken after the completion of treatment showed that the primary tumor and cervical lymph node metastases had disappeared and the patient thus achieved a complete response.As of 6 months after treatment, there has been no recurrence or metastasis.As shown in this case, combination therapy with cetuximab and radiotherapy can be curative even in elderly patients with advanced oropharyngeal cancer and numerous complicating conditions.