title: Continuous intra-arterial chemotherapy for downstaging locally advanced oral commissure carcinoma.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The purpose of this study was to assess the usefulness, safety, and efficacy of intra-arterial (IA) infusion chemotherapy for patients with locally advanced oral commissure cancer.
  
  
  METHODS
  Twenty-one patients with stages III and IV squamous cell carcinoma involving the mouth angle were recruited. Methotrexate (MTX; 50 mg/day) was continuously infused into the external carotid artery for a mean period of 8 days, followed by weekly IA bolus of 25 mg MTX for a mean period of 10 weeks.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Thirteen patients (62%) achieved a complete response (CR) and 7 patients (33%) had a partial response (PR). At a median follow-up of 69 months, the estimated 1-year, 3-year, and 5-year survival rates of the patients with CR versus PR were 100% versus 57%, 92% versus 43%, and 80% versus 43%, respectively.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Our data demonstrate that continuous IA chemotherapy could achieve a competitive acceptable survival rate and improved locoregional control of advanced oral commissure cancer.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, College of Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan.
authors.forename: Chih-Fung
authors.initials: CF
authors.lastname: Wu
authors.forename: Kao-Ping
authors.initials: KP
authors.lastname: Chang
authors.forename: Chih-Jen
authors.initials: CJ
authors.lastname: Huang
authors.forename: Chun-Ming
authors.initials: CM
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.forename: Ching-Yi
authors.initials: CY
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.forename: Chen-Lung
authors.initials: CL
authors.lastname: Steve Lin
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000964:Antimetabolites, Antineoplastic / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000401:mortality / Q000473:pathology; D002343:Carotid Artery, Internal; D018572:Disease-Free Survival; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007261:Infusions, Intra-Arterial / Q000379:methods; D008048:Lip Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000401:mortality / Q000473:pathology; D008297:Male; D008727:Methotrexate / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D008875:Middle Aged; D009061:Mouth Mucosa / Q000473:pathology; D012189:Retrospective Studies
chemical_list: D000964:Antimetabolites, Antineoplastic; D008727:Methotrexate
keywords: chemotherapy; intra-arterial infusion; methotrexate; oral commissure; squamous cell carcinoma