[Experience of gemcitabine plus cisplatin chemotherapy in 52 patients with head and neck cancer].
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the efficacy and toxicity of combination chemotherapy using gemcitabine plus cisplatin for recurrent and/or metastastic head and neck cancer patients.


METHODS
Fifty-two patients with recurrent or metastatic head and neck cancer were treated by gemcitabine 1000 mg/m(2) on D1, 8 and cisplatin 25 mg/m(2) on D1 approximately 3 every 21 days as one cycle.


RESULTS
Of 52 assessable patients, 3 (5.8%) showed complete response and 19 (36.5%) partial response with an overall response rate of 42.3% (22/52). Median time to progression was 5.0 months, and 1-year survival was 43.4% with a median survival time of 9.9 months. Of 32 previously treated patients by cisplatin-containing regimen, 2 patients (6.3%) gave complete response and 11 (34.4%) partial response with an overall response rate of 40.6% (13/32). Median time to progression was 3.4 months, and 1-year survival was 29.2% with a median survival time of 8.3 months. Toxicity mainly included grade 1/2 myleosuppression, rash and nausea/vomiting.


CONCLUSIONS
Gemcitabine plus cisplatin chemotherapy is safe and effective for patients with recurrent and/or metastastic head and neck cancer.
Wang
Jia-lei
JL
Department of Medical Oncology, Cancer Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China.
Hong
Xiao-nan
XN
Tang
Wei-yu
WY
Guo
Ye
Y
Li
Jin
J
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000188:drug therapy; D002945:Cisplatin / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects; D003841:Deoxycytidine / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000031:analogs & derivatives; D005260:Female; D006258:Head and Neck Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009303:Nasopharyngeal Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy*; D009362:Neoplasm Metastasis; D000093542:Gemcitabine
D003841:Deoxycytidine; D002945:Cisplatin; D000093542:Gemcitabine