Long-term follow-up of chemotherapy in advanced head and neck cancer

Arch Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg. 1989 Jan;115(1):68-73. doi: 10.1001/archotol.1989.01860250070030.

Abstract

We treated 94 patients with advanced head and neck cancer with a combined-modality protocol that included induction chemotherapy followed by surgery with and without radiotherapy. With a minimum follow-up of 3 1/2 years, 33 (35%) of the patients were alive and disease free. Thirty (32%) of the patients died of recurrent head and neck cancer. Complete response to chemotherapy and initial tumor bulk correlated with prolonged disease-free survival. Site of disease had no effect. There appeared to be no advantage to the use of routine postoperative radiotherapy in these advanced tumors.

MeSH terms

  • Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / therapeutic use*
  • Bleomycin / administration & dosage
  • Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / drug therapy*
  • Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / mortality
  • Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / therapy
  • Cisplatin / administration & dosage
  • Clinical Protocols
  • Combined Modality Therapy
  • Female
  • Follow-Up Studies
  • Head and Neck Neoplasms / drug therapy*
  • Head and Neck Neoplasms / mortality
  • Head and Neck Neoplasms / therapy
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Pilot Projects
  • Postoperative Care
  • Time Factors
  • Vincristine / administration & dosage

Substances

  • Bleomycin
  • Vincristine
  • Cisplatin