title: Cisplatin sensitization to radiotherapy of squamous cell carcinomas of the head and neck.
abstract: A combined modality of treatment utilizing cisplatin as a radiosensitizing agent concomitantly with full-course radical irradiation has been studied in 14 patients. Cisplatin at a dose of 15 mg/M2 body surface area was given intravenously on days 1 through 5 and 21 through 25 of the radiation therapy course. Among the 14 patients so treated, 11 patients had evidence of complete clinical regression of their tumors. Most remained in remission without evidence of recurrent disease for as long as 18 months. Recurrence in the field of treatment was even more rare. Symptomatic improvement was very encouraging in these patients. Most of them have had a significant improvement in their tolerance of pain and in the ability to swallow foods and maintain weight without a nasogastric feeding tube. Decannulation of the tracheostomy is usual. Problems included four patients with renal toxicity, one of whom died with renal failure. No patient required interruption of therapy due to mocositis or dysphagia. Nausea was rare. This encouraging data in our pilot study of a new therapeutic regimen justifies a full-scale clinical trial.
mesh_terms: D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000401:mortality / Q000532:radiotherapy*; D002945:Cisplatin / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D004341:Drug Evaluation; D006258:Head and Neck Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000401:mortality / Q000532:radiotherapy*; D006801:Humans; D007668:Kidney / Q000187:drug effects; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D010166:Palliative Care; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011838:Radiation-Sensitizing Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D013997:Time Factors
chemical_list: D011838:Radiation-Sensitizing Agents; D002945:Cisplatin