Mitomycin and fluorouracil in combination with concomitant radiotherapy: a potentially curable approach for locally advanced head and neck squamous cell carcinoma.
OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of radiotherapy and concurrent mitomycin-C (MC) plus 5-fluorouracil (5FU) infusion in locally advanced squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck (SCCHN).


METHODS
Sixty-nine patients with SCCHN (6 Stage III and 63 Stage IV patients) were treated with external beam radiotherapy (70 Gy) and simultaneous intravenous chemotherapy with 5FU (600 mg/m(2)/day, Days 1-5) and MC (10 mg/m(2), Days 5 and 36).


RESULTS
After a mean follow-up of 28.5 months, 59.4% of patients were alive without disease. Complete response was seen in 76.8% of patients. The 3 years overall survival, locoregional relapse-free survival and disease-free survival was 62.3, 63.1[corrected] and 49.5%, respectively. Treatment was well tolerated (Grade III mucositis in 43.5% and Grade II leukopenia in 5.8%).


CONCLUSIONS
This concurrent chemoradiotherapy regimen offers a curative option for our patients where primary and nodal disease is fairly large resulting in hypoxic radioresistant tumors.
Rastogi
Madhup
M
Department of Radiotherapy, King George's Medical University, Chowk, Lucknow 226003, Uttar Pradesh, India. drmadhup1@rediffmail.com
Srivastava
Madhu
M
Chufal
Kundan S
KS
Pant
M C
MC
Srivastava
Kirti
K
Bhatt
Madanlal B
MB
D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000401:mortality / Q000532:radiotherapy*; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D019583:Dose Fractionation, Radiation; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D005260:Female; D005472:Fluorouracil / Q000008:administration & dosage; D006258:Head and Neck Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000401:mortality / Q000532:radiotherapy*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016685:Mitomycin / Q000008:administration & dosage; D011879:Radiotherapy Dosage; D015996:Survival Rate
D016685:Mitomycin; D005472:Fluorouracil