title: Subset of patients with verrucous carcinoma of the oral cavity who benefit from treatment with methotrexate.
abstract: Oral verrucous carcinoma (OVC) is a low-grade variant of squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) with a distinctive morphology and specific pattern of behaviour that is often diagnosed in elderly patients. Resection is the treatment of choice, with radiotherapy as a reasonable alternative. In this retrospective case review we present our experience and outcomes in a group of 12 patients with various stages of OVC who had not been treated conventionally because of the extent of their lesions and their poor general condition. All patients were given chemotherapy with methotrexate, which was given by various routes and in different doses during the period 1972-2010. In 11 patients treatment with methotrexate alone was beneficial. One patient failed to respond. Methotrexate used alone as chemotherapy may minimise morbidity and improve quality of life, particularly among elderly patients.
authors: Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery/Oral Pathology, VU University Medical Center/Academic Centre for Dentistry Amsterdam, The Netherlands. kh.karagozoglu@vumc.nl
authors: K H
authors: KH
authors: Karagozoglu
authors: J
authors: J
authors: Buter
authors: C R
authors: CR
authors: Leemans
authors: D H F
authors: DH
authors: Rietveld
authors: S
authors: S
authors: van den Vijfeijken
authors: I
authors: I
authors: van der Waal
mesh_terms: D000284:Administration, Oral; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000964:Antimetabolites, Antineoplastic / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D018289:Carcinoma, Verrucous / Q000188:drug therapy*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007269:Injections, Intra-Arterial; D007273:Injections, Intramuscular; D007275:Injections, Intravenous; D053685:Laser Therapy; D054020:Lasers, Gas / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008297:Male; D008727:Methotrexate / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008875:Middle Aged; D009062:Mouth Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy*; D020360:Neoadjuvant Therapy; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D010166:Palliative Care; D018714:Radiotherapy, Adjuvant; D012074:Remission Induction; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D000964:Antimetabolites, Antineoplastic; D008727:Methotrexate