title: Small-cell carcinoma of the head and neck. A novel treatment regimen.
abstract: Four patients with small-cell carcinoma (SCC) of the head and neck were treated in a pilot Phase I-II study to evaluate the response rate and toxicity of weekly non-cross-resistant combination chemotherapy administered as primary therapy in small-cell carcinomas. All four patients had locoregional disease without evidence of distant metastasis. The treatment regimen consisted of dose-intensive chemotherapy administered for 16 weeks. One or two of six cytotoxic agents (cisplatin, vincristine, methotrexate, Adriamycin, cyclophosphamide, and etoposide) were used weekly in different combinations followed by radiotherapy and/or surgical resection. To date, three of the four patients have completed therapy and achieved a complete response. The fourth patient is currently receiving chemotherapy and has achieved a partial response. Our treatment regimen appears effective in producing high initial response rates in SCC of the head and neck.
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine, University of Virginia, School of Medicine, Charlottesville 22908.
authors.forename: I A
authors.initials: IA
authors.lastname: Tabbara
authors.forename: P A
authors.initials: PA
authors.lastname: Levine
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D018288:Carcinoma, Small Cell / Q000628:therapy*; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000628:therapy; D002945:Cisplatin / Q000008:administration & dosage; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D003520:Cyclophosphamide / Q000008:administration & dosage; D004317:Doxorubicin / Q000008:administration & dosage; D004341:Drug Evaluation; D005047:Etoposide / Q000008:administration & dosage; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007822:Laryngeal Neoplasms / Q000628:therapy*; D008297:Male; D008727:Methotrexate / Q000008:administration & dosage; D008875:Middle Aged; D009364:Neoplasm Recurrence, Local; D010865:Pilot Projects; D011879:Radiotherapy Dosage; D012074:Remission Induction; D014062:Tongue Neoplasms / Q000628:therapy*; D014750:Vincristine / Q000008:administration & dosage
chemical_list: D014750:Vincristine; D005047:Etoposide; D004317:Doxorubicin; D003520:Cyclophosphamide; D002945:Cisplatin; D008727:Methotrexate