Sequential chemo-radiotherapy in locally advanced squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck.
Between 1982 and 1983, 32 patients were treated for locally advanced inoperable squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) of the head and neck in a prospective pilot study. Patients received two to five courses of chemotherapy consisting of methotrexate, bleomycin and cis-dichlorodiammine-platinum (II). Radical radiotherapy was performed two weeks after administration of chemotherapy. Despite the high initial response rate to chemotherapy of 62.5%, long-term results remained poor. After a median follow-up of 10.5 months (3-39 months), 15 patients were still alive, but only 4 were clinically free of disease. Aggressive chemotherapy does not prevent delivery of full-dose radiotherapy for SCC of the head and neck. Furthermore, our study does not suggest that chemotherapy has a great influence on long-term results.
T G
TG
Wendt
M
M
Chucholowski
R
R
Hartenstein
R
R
Rohloff
N
N
Willich
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001761:Bleomycin / Q000008:administration & dosage; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000532:radiotherapy / Q000628:therapy*; D002945:Cisplatin / Q000008:administration & dosage; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D006258:Head and Neck Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000532:radiotherapy / Q000628:therapy*; D006801:Humans; D008727:Methotrexate / Q000008:administration & dosage; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies
D001761:Bleomycin; D002945:Cisplatin; D008727:Methotrexate