Jv. Scheel et al., INTRAARTERIAL CISPLATIN FOLLOWED BY IRRADIATION IN ADVANCED HEAD AND NECK-CANCER - LONE TERM RESULTS, Laryngo-, Rhino-, Otologie, 75(1), 1996, pp. 38-42
Background: The objective of this study was to improve the results of
irradiation by prior application of intraarterial (i.a.) chemotherapy
with cisplatin. Methods: Sixty-three patients suffering from advanced
head and neck cancer without previous treatment were prepared for intr
aarterial chemotherapy by neck dissection without resection of the pri
mary tumor and by modification of the carotid artery by creating a mor
e inferiorly positioned bifurcation to facilitate intermittent i.a. in
fusion. The patients received approximately 400 mg cisplatin over a pe
riod of four to five weeks followed by irradiation with Co-60 (64 Gy H
D). Results: The survival rate at five years in all patients with adeq
uate i.a. chemotherapy was 19 of 49 (39%), except those with adenoid-c
ystic carcinoma, who had a five-year-survival rate of 100%. Conclusion
: The results indicate that inductive i.a. chemotherapy with cisplatin
has a positive influence on the outcome of irradiation even in inoper
able head and neck cancer, which is defined by a longer period of remi
ssion with the possibility of curing the disease.