title: Results in fifty cases of advanced squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck treated by intravenous chemotherapy.
abstract: The results of intravenous chemotherapy for advanced squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck in 50 patients are presented. Forty patients were treated with methotrexate alone-3 patients showed partial regression of disease and a further 7 were controlled for periods of up to 4 months. Of those patients who failed to respond, or who relapsed on methotrexate, 16 were treated with combination chemotherapy. One patient showed complete regression of disease, 2 partial regression and in 2 others control was achieved for up to 4 months. A further 10 patients were treated with combination chemotherapy only, with no previous methotrexate. In this group no objective regressions were noted and only one patient was controlled for a period of 14 months. It is suggested that intravenous chemotherapy in advanced squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck is of doubtful value.
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000188:drug therapy*; D003520:Cyclophosphamide / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004338:Drug Combinations; D004825:Epiglottis; D005260:Female; D005472:Fluorouracil / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006257:Head; D006258:Head and Neck Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy*; D006801:Humans; D007822:Laryngeal Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy; D007970:Leukopenia / Q000139:chemically induced; D008297:Male; D008727:Methotrexate / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008875:Middle Aged; D009062:Mouth Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy; D009303:Nasopharyngeal Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy; D009325:Nausea / Q000139:chemically induced; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy*; D014062:Tongue Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy; D014750:Vincristine / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use
chemical_list: D004338:Drug Combinations; D014750:Vincristine; D003520:Cyclophosphamide; D005472:Fluorouracil; D008727:Methotrexate