Capecitabine (Xeloda®), a fluoropyrimidine carbamate, is an oral prodrug, which is converted in tumor tissues to 5-fluorouracil through multienzymatic activation. Capecitabine (Xeloda®) has documented activity in breast and colorectal cancers and is widely administered. Because 5-fluorouracil has efficacy in the treatment of head and neck cancer, it is reasonable to consider that such tumors will respond to capecitabine. To date, there are no published trials using capecitabine (Xeloda®) in the treatment of metastatic head and neck cancer patients. However, clinical trials are ongoing in the U.S. and Europe with promising results.