Thermochemotherapy of lower lip squamous cell carcinoma without metastases: an experience of 31 cases.
BACKGROUND
The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy, functional and aesthetic results, and safety of a novel treatment, thermochemotherapy, for lower lip squamous cell carcinoma (LLSCC) without metastases.


METHODS
A combination of local hyperthermia delivered by a 915MHz microwave heating system and the chemotherapy of pingyangmycin (bleomycin A(5) hydrochloride) (PYM) and methotrexate (MTX), was administered to 31 patients of LLSCC twice per week for a period of 4.5-7.5 weeks. Patients with complete response (CR) have been followed up for a full five-year period, whereas partial response (PR) patients were excluded for further analysis. The local control of tumour, functional and cosmetic outcomes, recurrence, regional lymph node and distant metastases, and complications were assessed by clinical and imaging examination.


RESULTS
Clinical CR was observed in twenty-nine (93.55%) patients and PR in two (6.45%), the total response rate was 100%, while the adverse effects were extremely minimal and tolerable in all 31 patients including 6 elderly patients with a compromised general condition. All 29 CR, including 8 extensive lesions, achieved excellent cosmetic and functional preservation. During the follow-up period, local relapse was seen in 1 case, 1 patient died, and the remainder obtained a complete remission.


CONCLUSIONS
This clinical study suggests that thermochemotherapy may be a feasible treatment for primary LLSCC without cervical metastases, especially for patients with extensive lesions and a compromised general condition.
Liang
Xin-hua
XH
Faculty, Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, State Key Laboratory of Oral Diseases, West China Hospital of Stomatology, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan 610041, China.
He
Yong-wen
YW
Tang
Ya-ling
YL
Wu
Jun-low
JL
Cao
Xuan-ping
XP
Xiao
Gui-zhou
GZ
Mao
Zu-yi
ZY
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000628:therapy*; D017024:Chemotherapy, Adjuvant; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D018572:Disease-Free Survival; D005260:Female; D005334:Fever; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008048:Lip Neoplasms / Q000628:therapy*; D008207:Lymphatic Metastasis / Q000517:prevention & control; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D020360:Neoadjuvant Therapy; D009362:Neoplasm Metastasis / Q000517:prevention & control*; D020127:Recovery of Function; D016896:Treatment Outcome