ANNOUNCEMENT – ONCOLOGICAL SOCIETY OF CYPRUS OEK – 13/10/2021

COMMUNICATION

On the occasion of the recent publication of the results of a study by the Royal Marsden Hospital Research Center in London regarding the administration of immunotherapy in locally advanced or metastatic Head and Neck Cancer, the Cyprus Oncology Society (CEOS) wishes to announce the following:

• Immunotherapy with the administration of a pharmaceutical preparation (Pembrolizumab) is already approved for advanced or metastatic Head and Neck Cancer and is used in its correct indications.
• This specific study, combining two drugs (nivolumab and ipilimumab), which are already used under certain conditions in other types of cancer, showed that this specific treatment could be an alternative treatment in certain cases of advanced or metastatic Head and Neck Cancer, since compared to the established “Extreme” Chemotherapy, it appears to prolong life with fewer side effects.
• The results of the study are encouraging, but they should be treated with caution since compared to the results of standard treatment, they do not show a significant statistical difference.
• Any proposed treatments are based on scientifically documented medical indications and are not applicable to all oncological cases.
• The way this scientific study was presented by the media once again caused unnecessary confusion among patients. Sensational headlines can spread false hopes, especially in vulnerable groups of patients such as cancer patients, and should be avoided.

The Cyprus Oncology Society, assuring the high level of oncological services provided, once again calls on patients to trust their treating Oncologists.

From the Board of Directors of OEK 13/10/2021