Cisplatinum and bleomycin for advanced or recurrent squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck: a randomised factorial phase III controlled trial.
A phase III 2 X 2 factorial trial of cisplatinum and bleomycin in 116 patients with recurrent or advanced squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck is reported. Thirty percent of patients proved to be unfit for chemotherapy, and of those treated progression of tumour was the commonest "response". However, 25% of patients achieved a partial or complete response, with no significant difference in response rates between the treated arms. The median number of courses received was 1 (range 0-6) and the commonest causes for discontinuation of treatment were renal toxicity and death. Bleomycin reduced survival, but not significantly so, whereas cisplatinum prolonged median survival significantly by 10 weeks. Significant predictors of survival, in addition to treatment by cisplatinum, were age, performance status, N status, number of courses and response of the tumor.
R P
RP
Morton
F
F
Rugman
E B
EB
Dorman
P J
PJ
Stoney
J A
JA
Wilson
M
M
McCormick
A
A
Veevers
P M
PM
Stell
D000368:Aged; D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001761:Bleomycin / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000188:drug therapy*; D002945:Cisplatin / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006258:Head and Neck Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009362:Neoplasm Metastasis
D001761:Bleomycin; D002945:Cisplatin