title: 5-fluorouracil + folinic acid with cisplatinum and bleomycin in the treatment of advanced head and neck squamous cell carcinoma.
abstract: Thirty-six patients with advanced squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck (SCCHN) were treated with a regimen including cisplatinum (CP) 30 mg/m2 i.v., 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) 500 mg/m2 i.v. bolus, folinic acid (FA) 200 mg/m2 i.v. in a continuous one-hour infusion, and bleomycin (B) 15 mg i.m. on the first and second days and repeated every 28 days. Thirty-three patients (25 with recurrent disease and 8 untreated) are evaluable for objective response. Of these, 4 (12%) achieved CR and 15 (45%) PR. All of the untreated patients responded. The mean duration of response in the patients with recurrent or metastatic disease was 5.5 months (range 2-10+). Remission of symptoms, such as pain and dysphagia, was obtained in 58% and in 44%, respectively. Subjective remission occurred almost exclusively in objectively responsive patients. The major side effects were leukopenia (55%) and nausea/vomiting (58%). This regimen is active in the treatment of advanced SCCHN. The quality of life may be improved in responsive patients.
authors.affiliation: Divisione di Oncologia, Policlinico S. Orsola-Malpighi, Bologna, Italy.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Guaraldi
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Martoni
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Tononi
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Occhiuzzi
authors.forename: U
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Caliceti
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Dall'Olio
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Laudadio
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Pannuti
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000627:therapeutic use* / Q000633:toxicity; D001761:Bleomycin / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000633:toxicity; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology; D002945:Cisplatin / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000633:toxicity; D005260:Female; D005472:Fluorouracil / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000633:toxicity; D006258:Head and Neck Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology; D006801:Humans; D002955:Leucovorin / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000633:toxicity; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009367:Neoplasm Staging
chemical_list: D001761:Bleomycin; D002945:Cisplatin; D002955:Leucovorin; D005472:Fluorouracil