title: cis-platinum and 5-fluorouracil as initial therapy in advanced epidermoid cancers of the head and neck.
abstract: A total of 44 patients with previously untreated Stage IV squamous cell carcinomas of the head and neck were treated with a combination of cis-platinum (100 mg/sq m) and 96-hour infusion of 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) (1,000 mg/sq m/day) in two courses or with cis-platinum (100 mg/sq m) and 120-hour infusion of 5-FU (1,000 mg/sq m/day) in three courses. In the 26 patients receiving the two course regimen, the tumor response rate was 88.5%. In five of the 26 patients complete disappearance of the tumor was achieved; partial remission was obtained in 18 of 26 patients. The main side effects were nausea and vomiting (70%), leukopenia (27%), and mild-to-moderate renal toxicity (27%). In the 18 patients who received the three course regimen of 5-FU and cis-platinum, there were 11 (61%) complete responses, 6 (33%) partial responses, and 1 (6%) minimal response. The incidence of complete response was increased with each course given. No added toxicity was observed with surgery or radiotherapy.
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000188:drug therapy*; D002945:Cisplatin / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D005260:Female; D005472:Fluorouracil / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006258:Head and Neck Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged
chemical_list: D002945:Cisplatin; D005472:Fluorouracil