Combined treatment of advanced head and neck cancer

• Published in: International Congress series Vol. 1240; pp. 1075 - 1077
• Main Authors: Šmid, L, Žargi, M, Budihna, M, Zakotnik, B, Šoba, E, Strojan, P, Lešničar, H, Fajdiga, I
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier B.V 01-10-2003
• Subjects: Chemotherapy; Head and neck carcinoma; Radiotherapy; Radiotherapy; Head and neck carcinoma; Chemotherapy
• ISSN: 0531-5131; 1873-6157
• DOI: 10.1016/S0531-5131(03)00782-9

Between 1991 and 1993, 64 patients with inoperable head and neck cancer were randomized to receive either radiation therapy alone (group A) or radiotherapy with simultaneous application of Mitomycin C and Bleomycin (group B). Disease-free survival (DFS) was in group B 37%, and in group A 8% (p=0.01). DFS for patients with oropharyngeal carcinoma only was in group B 48% and in group A 10% (p=0.001). Since 1993, 95 consecutive patients with advanced inoperable oropharyngeal carcinoma were routinely treated with above scheme. DFS (55%) was comparable to that of the randomized group B patients.
Based on previous favorable experience, the same combination was tested as postoperative treatment in patients operated for advanced head and neck carcinoma. Over 4 years, in patients from radiochemotherapy group, locoregional control (86%) was better than in radiotherapy group (57%) (p=0.037), as was the overall survival 71% and 43%, respectively (p=0.036). Patients who benefited by chemotherapy were those with high risk factors.