title: Alteration of chemotherapy (cisplatin and 5-FU) and radiotherapy in the management of advanced or recurrent head and neck cancer: a phase II study.
abstract: Between July '84 and July '85, 20 patients with very advanced or relapsing carcinomas of the upper aerodigestive tract were treated with polychemotherapy (cisplatin 20 mg/m2 days 1 to 5, and 5-fluorouracil 200 mg/m2 days 1 to 5, q. 3 weeks), alternated with radiation (3 split courses, 20 Gy each). Toxicity was moderate and in particular, mucositis and other relevant side effects including leukopenia, thrombocytopenia and nausea, were rare. Antitumoral activity consisted of nine complete responses and six partial responses (75% objective responses). Our conclusions are that cisplatin and 5-FU can be alternated with radiation with acceptable toxicity. The treatment has shown interesting antitumoral activity. Its role in cancer management must be investigated with controlled clinical trials.
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000532:radiotherapy; D002945:Cisplatin / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects; D004341:Drug Evaluation; D005260:Female; D005472:Fluorouracil / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects; D006258:Head and Neck Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000532:radiotherapy; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009364:Neoplasm Recurrence, Local / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000532:radiotherapy
chemical_list: D002945:Cisplatin; D005472:Fluorouracil