MODIFIED NEOADJUVANT THERAPY REGIME WITH LOW-DOSE IRRADIATION IN ADVANCED HEAD AND NECK-CANCER PATIENTS - PRELIMINARY-RESULTS OF A PILOT-STUDY TO MINIMIZE SIDE-EFFECTS

We analysed the files of 52 patients with advanced head and neck tumor s who were treated in a pilot phase. The therapy consisted of two cour ses of induction chemotherapy with ifosfamide and cisplatin followed b y hyperfractionated-accelerated radiotherapy with a total dose of only 30 Gy. Surgery was performed within the following 7 days with tumor r esection and neck dissection. Histologically we found in 50% of the sp ecimens total necrosis of the tumor. The median survival time is calcu lated to be 22 months. The median follow-up time thus far is 36 months . Hence, therapy results are comparable to other therapy schedules. Bu t side effects, especially late side effects had become minor. Therefo re, our therapy regime results in augmentation of the quality of life of these patients.