RESUMO
BACKGROUND/AIM: Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) is characterized by high relapse rates and low survival in comparison to other malignancies. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Fifty-two patients suffering from recurrent HNSCC were compared, analyzing the impact of different regimes, including surgery, radiotherapy (RT), chemotherapy and immunotherapy on progression-free survival (PFS), overall survival (OS), locoregional control (LRC), and adverse events. RESULTS: The standard RT technique was intensity-modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) in all patients. In the multivariate analysis, higher cumulative RT dose significantly influenced LRC whereas surgery and age significantly impacted PFS and OS. CONCLUSION: IMRT dose-escalation, as well as surgery, appear beneficial in the treatment of recurrent HNSCC. Moreover, nivolumab and platin-based therapy might be superior agents for systemic therapy in comparison to cetuximab.