INTERACTIONS BETWEEN OUTCOMES AND TUMOR RESPONSE TO PREOPERATIVE CISPLATIN SENSITIZED RADIOTHERAPY IN ADVANCED HEAD AND NECK-CANCER

BACKGROUND: Whether or not tumor response to chemotherapy-sensitized r adiation therapy (CTRT) for head and neck cancer leads to an improved outcome is unknown. METHODS: Forty patients who received preoperative cisplatin plus simultaneous radiotherapy for operable stage III and IV head and neck cancer were reviewed retrospectively regarding clinical demographics, staging, and survival status.RESULTS: Twenty-one (57%) patients had a histologic complete response (HCR) and 16 (43%) had a p artial (PR) (9) or clinical complete (7) response (CCR). Tumor respons e of N-1 versus N2-3 nodal disease showed 6 (75%) HCR and 4 (25%). Fiv e-year disease-free survival overall was 82% for HCR versus 38% for PR /CCR (P <0.05). Disease-specific 5-year survival was 100% for HCR vers us 27% for PR/CCR (P <0.002). CONCLUSIONS: Histologic complete respons e to CTRT for head and neck cancer is associated with increased surviv al and encouraging disease-free status. Response to CTRT is inversely proportional to lymphatic tumor load. (C) 1997 by Excerpta Medica, Inc .