title: Response rates and survival in patients with head and neck cancer treated with a combination of cisplatin and 5-fluorouracil prior to radiotherapy.
abstract: Fifty-three previously untreated patients with advanced head and neck cancer were given courses of cisplatin and 5-fluorouracil prior to radical radiotherapy. The overall response rate to chemotherapy alone was 66% but only two cases achieved a complete response. After radiotherapy, 62% were in complete remission but there was no evidence for improved overall survival when compared to historical data. Patients who responded to chemotherapy had a significantly better chance of achieving a complete remission after radiotherapy, and had a significantly improved survival when compared to non responders to chemotherapy, including those whose disease disappeared after radiotherapy. The survival data compare favourably with other series claiming higher complete and partial responses to the same combination of drugs.
authors.affiliation: South Wales Radiotherapy and Oncology Service, Velindre Hospital, Cardiff.
authors.forename: G D
authors.initials: GD
authors.lastname: Thomas
authors.forename: I C
authors.initials: IC
authors.lastname: Paterson
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002648:Child; D002945:Cisplatin / Q000008:administration & dosage; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D005260:Female; D005472:Fluorouracil / Q000008:administration & dosage; D006258:Head and Neck Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000401:mortality / Q000532:radiotherapy / Q000628:therapy*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged
chemical_list: D002945:Cisplatin; D005472:Fluorouracil