title: [What may be expected of palliative chemotherapy of recurrent tumors of the upper airways and the digestive tract?].
abstract: In 16 patients with recurrences of squamous cell cancer of the upper aerodigestive system a combination-chemotherapy was performed in three cycles. On the 1st day of each cycle 20 mg/m2 methotrexate and 15 mg bleomycin, on the 2nd day 60 mg/m2 cis-diamminedichloroplatinum and from day 3 until day 8 15 mg bleomycin was given daily. Only half the patients received all 3 planned cycles. The overall response rate for complete or partial remission (more than 50% tumor-shrinkage) was 37% (1 complete, 5 partial remissions). Median duration of remissions was 2.6 months (1-6 months). Life quality (modified Karnowsky Index) was improved in 5 patients, tumor pain could be reduced in 7 patients. The median survival time was 4.3 months. The results are compared to those of other authors.
mesh_terms: D001761:Bleomycin / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000188:drug therapy*; D002945:Cisplatin / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004067:Digestive System Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy*; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D006801:Humans; D008727:Methotrexate / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008875:Middle Aged; D009364:Neoplasm Recurrence, Local; D010166:Palliative Care; D012142:Respiratory Tract Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy*
chemical_list: D001761:Bleomycin; D002945:Cisplatin; D008727:Methotrexate
vernacular_title: Welche Erwartungen dürfen in eine palliative Chemotherapie von Rezidivtumoren der oberen Luft- und Speisewege gesetzt werden?