title: Treatment of advanced head and neck carcinoma with synchronous irradiation and methotrexate.
abstract: Thirty-four patients with advanced head and neck cancer were treated by synchronous radiotherapy and methotrexate (MTX) (100 mg/m2). Complete resolution of disease was obtained in 18 patients, the median remission of patients being 17 months. In general, treatment was well tolerated, although mucosal reaction was prolonged in 50% of patients. Drug-induced hematological toxicity was observed in six patients (18%) and one patient died. As a result of these findings, a random clinical trial to compare X-ray therapy with X-ray therapy and MTX in advanced head and neck cancer has been commenced.
mesh_terms: D001772:Blood Cell Count / Q000187:drug effects / Q000528:radiation effects; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000473:pathology / Q000532:radiotherapy*; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D005260:Female; D006258:Head and Neck Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000473:pathology / Q000532:radiotherapy*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008727:Methotrexate / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008875:Middle Aged; D009092:Mucous Membrane / Q000187:drug effects / Q000528:radiation effects; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D010865:Pilot Projects; D011379:Prognosis; D011878:Radiotherapy / Q000009:adverse effects
chemical_list: D008727:Methotrexate