Cisplatin with radiation

Say it: SIS-plat-in with ray-dee-AY-shun

Cisplatin given during a course of radiation therapy

Cisplatin with radiation is a plan where a chemotherapy medicine, cisplatin, is given during 6 to 7 weeks of daily radiation to make the radiation work better.

Also called: chemoradiation, chemoradiotherapy, concurrent chemoradiation, CRT, CCRT, chemo radiation, weekly cisplatin with radiation, high-dose cisplatin with radiation, every 3 week cisplatin with radiation, cisplatin and radiation, cisplatin-RT, cis-RT

What it is

Radiation uses high energy beams aimed at the tumor to kill cancer cells. Cisplatin makes cancer cells easier for radiation to kill, so the two work better together than radiation alone. The goal is usually to cure the cancer or keep it from coming back, while saving organs such as the voice box or the bladder when possible.

Often used for

• Head and neck cancers (mouth, throat, voice box and nasopharynx), as the main treatment or after surgery
• Cervical cancer that has grown beyond the cervix (locally advanced)
• Some other cancers, such as certain bladder, lung, esophagus and vulvar cancers

Every 3 weeks cisplatin (head and neck)

A larger dose of cisplatin on days 1, 22 and 43 of radiation. Many people get 2 or 3 doses. It needs a longer clinic day with more IV fluids.

Weekly cisplatin (head and neck)

A smaller dose once a week for about 6 to 7 weeks. Some people find it easier to handle, and many centers use it.

Weekly cisplatin for cervical cancer

Cisplatin once a week, usually for 5 or 6 weeks, during about 5 weeks of radiation from outside the body. This is followed by internal radiation (brachytherapy), where the radiation source is placed close to the cervix for a short time. For some higher risk cancers, pembrolizumab is added and continued for about 2 years. Some centers give a short course of chemotherapy first.

When cisplatin is not safe

For people with weak kidneys, hearing loss, nerve damage or other health problems, your team may use a different medicine (such as carboplatin, or cetuximab for head and neck cancer) or radiation alone.

The medicines in this plan

Cisplatin

Platinum chemotherapy given through a vein with extra IV fluids. It is given either once a week, or once every 3 weeks (usually 2 or 3 doses in total), on the same days as radiation.

Pembrolizumab

Only in some cervical cancer plans. An immunotherapy medicine that may be added during chemoradiation and continued afterward for higher risk cervical cancer.

Cetuximab

Not part of the standard plan. For head and neck cancer, it is sometimes used with radiation instead of cisplatin when cisplatin is not safe.

Carboplatin

Not part of the standard plan. Sometimes used instead of cisplatin when kidneys, hearing or overall health make cisplatin unsafe.

How you get it

Radiation is given once a day, Monday to Friday, for about 6 to 7 weeks for head and neck cancer, and about 5 weeks (plus internal radiation) for cervical cancer. Each radiation visit takes about 15 to 30 minutes. Cisplatin is given in the infusion clinic on certain radiation days, either once a week or once every 3 weeks. Chemotherapy days take about 3 to 6 hours because of the IV fluids. Your schedule may be different.

A typical cycle

Before treatment

Planning scans and a mask or body mold for radiation. For head and neck cancer, a dental checkup and sometimes tooth removal, a visit with a dietitian, and swallowing exercises with a speech therapist. Hearing and kidney tests may also be done.

Weeks 1 and 2

Daily radiation begins, with your first cisplatin dose in week 1. Nausea may come in the first few days after each dose. Most people feel fairly well.

Weeks 3 to 7

Side effects in the treated area build up. For head and neck cancer, mouth and throat soreness, dry mouth, taste changes and skin redness get worse. For cervical cancer, diarrhea, bladder irritation and tiredness are common.

After treatment ends

Side effects are often worst 1 to 2 weeks after the last radiation, then slowly improve over several weeks to months. Scans are done about 3 months later to check the result.

Common side effects and what helps

• Painful mouth and throat sores (head and neck). Rinse often with a mild salt and baking soda rinse and use the pain medicines your team prescribes.
• Trouble or pain with swallowing. Soft, moist foods and nutrition drinks help. Keep doing your swallowing exercises, even when it hurts, to protect your swallowing long term.
• Weight loss. Some people need a feeding tube for a while to get enough food and fluid. This is common and usually temporary.
• Dry mouth, thick saliva and taste changes. Sip water often and use a humidifier at night.
• Nausea and vomiting after cisplatin, sometimes starting a few days later. Take your anti-nausea medicines on schedule.
• Tiredness that builds over the weeks.
• Red, dry or peeling skin where the radiation goes. Use only the skin products your radiation team recommends.
• Ringing in the ears or trouble hearing from cisplatin.
• Low blood counts, which raise the risk of infection.
• For cervical cancer: diarrhea, belly cramping, burning with urination and vaginal irritation.

Call your care team right away if you have

• A fever of 100.4 degrees Fahrenheit (38 degrees Celsius) or higher, or chills
• Not able to eat or drink enough, or not able to swallow your medicines or your own saliva
• Signs of dehydration: very little urine, very dark urine, dizziness when you stand, or a racing heart
• Throwing up or diarrhea that keeps you from keeping fluids down for 24 hours
• Trouble breathing, noisy breathing, or choking or coughing every time you swallow
• Bleeding from the mouth or throat, or heavy vaginal or rectal bleeding
• Sudden hearing loss or loud ringing in the ears
• A problem with your feeding tube, such as it falling out, leaking or being blocked

Good to know

• Cisplatin can harm the kidneys. Your kidney blood tests are checked before each dose, and you get extra IV fluids. Not drinking enough because of a sore mouth raises this risk, so tell your team early if you cannot keep up with fluids.
• Cisplatin can lower magnesium and potassium. You may need extra by mouth or through the IV.
• Your team may check your hearing before and during treatment.
• Dental care matters before and after head and neck radiation, because radiation raises the risk of tooth decay and jaw bone problems for life. Use fluoride as your dentist directs.
• Your team will see you every week during radiation to check your weight, pain, mouth, skin and blood tests.
• Missing radiation days can make treatment work less well. Try not to skip, and talk with your team before any break.

At home

• Drink about 8 to 10 cups of fluid a day unless told otherwise. If swallowing is hard, use your feeding tube for water if you have one.
• Rinse your mouth several times a day and after meals with a mild salt and baking soda rinse. Skip mouthwashes that contain alcohol.
• Avoid tobacco and alcohol, which make side effects worse and lower the chance of cure.
• Wear loose, soft clothing over the treated area and protect the skin from the sun.
• Keep anti-nausea and pain medicines on hand, and take pain medicine before meals if eating hurts.
• Weigh yourself a few times a week and bring the numbers to your visits.

Questions to ask

• Will I get cisplatin once a week or once every 3 weeks?
• Is the goal to cure the cancer?
• Should I see a dentist, dietitian or speech and swallow therapist before starting?
• How likely is it that I will need a feeding tube, and should one be placed before treatment starts?
• Will my hearing and kidneys be checked during treatment?
• Which side effects may last after treatment, and what can help them?

Head and neck cancer

Last updated: 2026-10-27. Medically reviewed by Veli Bakalov, MD, medical oncologist (October 2026). General education from Step by Step, the patient portal of HemeOncBuddy.