Induction chemotherapy (cisplatin + 5-fluorouracil) and radiotherapy in advanced squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck.
A phase II study was made of 58 consecutive patients with previously untreated locally advanced squamous cell carcinomas of the head and neck. The induction chemotherapy consisted of 3 courses of cisplatin (100 mg/m2) and a subsequent 120-h infusion of 5-fluorouracil (1,000 mg/m2/24 h) repeated every 3 weeks. It was followed by radiotherapy to a median target dose of 66 Gy and surgery for residual tumour. A total of 91 per cent received all 3 courses of chemotherapy, which was well tolerated. Complete response (CR) was obtained in 20 patients (35%) after chemotherapy and in 40 patients (69%) after subsequent radiotherapy. The median observation time was 28 months (range 15-57). The actuarial survival at 2 years for complete responders to chemotherapy was 83 per cent, implying a prolonged survival (p = 0.002) compared to those with less than CR. Complete responders after chemotherapy had also a significantly longer recurrence-free survival, though 19 out of 20 did not undergo surgery. Complete response after this induction therapy is thus an important prognostic predictor.
Tennvall
J
J
Department of Oncology, University Hospital, Lund, Sweden.
Albertsson
M
M
Biörklund
A
A
Wennerberg
J
J
Anderson
H
H
Andersson
T
T
Elner
A
A
Mercke
C
C
D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000532:radiotherapy / Q000628:therapy*; D002945:Cisplatin / Q000008:administration & dosage; D005472:Fluorouracil / Q000008:administration & dosage; D006258:Head and Neck Neoplasms / Q000532:radiotherapy / Q000628:therapy*; D006801:Humans
D002945:Cisplatin; D005472:Fluorouracil