Improved survival with preoperative chemotherapy followed by resection uncompromised by tumor response for advanced squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck

Am J Surg. 1995 Nov;170(5):506-11. doi: 10.1016/s0002-9610(99)80341-9.

Abstract

Background: A total of 93 patients were treated with one of two preoperative chemotherapy regimens over a 15-year period. The study supports the importance of strict adherence to guidelines for ablative surgery.

Methods: A single surgeon performed the surgery and evaluated each patient prior to treatment. The extent of the planned operation was documented.

Results: The 5-year absolute survival of 88 patients who completed the protocol was estimated at 55%. The 40 cisplatin/5-fluorouracil-treated patients exhibited a significantly better outcome than the 48 cisplatin/bleomycin-treated patients (76% versus 43%, respectively). Comparison of a subset of 37 patients with a matched group from the standard control arm of the Head and Neck Contracts Program demonstrated a statistically significant improvement in overall survival over standard treatment.

Conclusions: These data suggest that strict adherence to preoperative chemotherapy planning of ablative uncompromised surgery contribute to improved survival. Selective rather than routine postoperative radiotherapy may be advantageous.

Publication types

  • Clinical Trial
  • Comparative Study

MeSH terms

  • Antibiotics, Antineoplastic / administration & dosage
  • Antimetabolites, Antineoplastic / administration & dosage
  • Antineoplastic Agents / administration & dosage
  • Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / administration & dosage
  • Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / therapeutic use*
  • Bleomycin / administration & dosage
  • Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / drug therapy*
  • Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / radiotherapy
  • Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / surgery*
  • Case-Control Studies
  • Cisplatin / administration & dosage
  • Combined Modality Therapy
  • Fluorouracil / administration & dosage
  • Head and Neck Neoplasms / drug therapy*
  • Head and Neck Neoplasms / radiotherapy
  • Head and Neck Neoplasms / surgery*
  • Humans
  • Laryngeal Neoplasms / drug therapy
  • Laryngeal Neoplasms / radiotherapy
  • Laryngeal Neoplasms / surgery
  • Mouth Neoplasms / drug therapy
  • Mouth Neoplasms / radiotherapy
  • Mouth Neoplasms / surgery
  • Neck Dissection
  • Neoplasm Invasiveness
  • Neoplasm Staging
  • Oropharyngeal Neoplasms / drug therapy
  • Oropharyngeal Neoplasms / radiotherapy
  • Oropharyngeal Neoplasms / surgery
  • Postoperative Care
  • Preoperative Care
  • Proportional Hazards Models
  • Prospective Studies
  • Remission Induction
  • Survival Rate
  • Treatment Outcome

Substances

  • Antibiotics, Antineoplastic
  • Antimetabolites, Antineoplastic
  • Antineoplastic Agents
  • Bleomycin
  • Cisplatin
  • Fluorouracil