title: Safe and effective combination chemotherapy without cis-platinum for squamous cell carcinomas of the head and neck.
abstract: Different combinations of "standard" antitumor drugs were given to patients with squamous cell carcinomas of the head and neck. One hundred fifty-five patients received a combination of vincristine, bleomycin, methotrexate, hydrocortisone, and 5-fluorouracil given over 24 hours every 2 to 3 weeks. In patients who had received no previous treatment, 57 of 76 assessable patients (75%) responded. In previously treated patients, 20 of 40 assessable patients responded (50%). Prior radiation significantly reduced response to chemotherapy. A response to initial chemotherapy increases the likelihood of successful local treatment. In this study, response to drug treatment was not affected by age, sex, histology, or site. Crude survival at 2 years is significantly increased in responding patients compared with a historically matched control group when chemotherapy is given before radiation therapy or surgery. Preliminary results of a randomized prospective controlled study suggest that primary adjuvant chemotherapy without cis-platinum may significantly increase survival in this group of patients.
mesh_terms: D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000532:radiotherapy / Q000601:surgery; D002945:Cisplatin; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D006258:Head and Neck Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000532:radiotherapy / Q000601:surgery; D006801:Humans; D009364:Neoplasm Recurrence, Local / Q000188:drug therapy; D011379:Prognosis; D011878:Radiotherapy / Q000009:adverse effects; D013997:Time Factors
chemical_list: D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D002945:Cisplatin