Eligibility criteria to cisplatin in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma: Egyptian expert opinion

INTRODUCTION: The use of cisplatin in clinical practice in the management of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) is limited by its toxicity and acquired resistance, which makes the decision‐making process of its prescription multifactorial. METHODS: An Egyptian expert panel (comprising nine Egyptian oncologists) meeting was held after a comprehensive literature review on the use of cisplatin in HNSCC. The panel aimed to develop a consensus on evidence‐based recommendations for receiving cisplatin in the chemoradiotherapy management of HNSCC in Egyptian clinical practice. RESULTS: The panel indicated that an Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group Performance Status (ECOG PS) > 2, creatinine clearance (CCR) < 50 ml/min, neuropathy grade ≥ 2, pre‐existing hearing loss or tinnitus ≥2, hematological problems (platelets < 100,000/mm(3), neutrophils < 1500/mm, and hemoglobin < 9 g/dl), and heart failure of New York Heart Association Classes III or IV (even if cardiovascular therapy is optimized); are all absolute contraindications to receiving cisplatin. On the other hand, relative contraindications to cisplatin according to the panel were an ECOG PS of 2, age more than 70 years, CCR between 50 and 60 ml/min, grade 1 neuropathy, grade 1 hearing loss, involuntary weight loss of ≥20% of body weight, Child–Pugh Scores B and C, previous induction chemotherapy, and heart failure of New York Heart Association Classes I or II with left ventricular ejection fraction ≤50%. The panel agreed that the socioeconomic status of patients should be considered when prescribing cisplatin to HNSCC patients. CONCLUSION: Our discussion resulted in a set of evidence‐based recommendations for cisplatin eligibility criteria in patients of HNSCC in Egypt.