Abstract
We compared the effectiveness between carboplatin (CBDCA) and cisplatin (CDDP) as a single-agent chemotherapy and concomitant radiotherapy in operable head and neck cancer by a prospective randomized trial. The CBDCA-treated group (n=60) showed significantly better 5-year local control rate (56.2%) than the CDDP-treated group (n=59, 35.5%, p=0.03). There was no difference in toxicities, which were considered acceptable. We suggest choosing weekly CBDCA rather than daily low-dose CDDP as a chemotherapeutic agent for concomitant chemoradiotherapy in patients with operable cancer, although a dose of CDDP may be too small. Superselective arterial infusion for patients with advanced head and neck cancer has increasingly applied in Japan. We analyzed our experiences and evaluated the efficacy and safety of this treatment. Twenty nine patients received superselective intra-arterial infusion therapy of cisplatin (100-120mg/m2/week) and conventional concomitant extrabeam radiotherapy. Two year overall survival rate was 42.9%. The primary lesions were well controlled in 21 patients (72.4%). High-frequent acute toxic effects were leukopenia and mucositis. Severe toxic events occurred in three cases, namely, MRSA pneumonia, sepsis, and tetraplasia. We confirmed the effectiveness and safety of superselective arterial infusion and concomitant radiotherapy. Furthermore, we must establish the optimal procedures and schedule, as well as the indications for this treatment. This treatment protocol expected the cure of patients with unresectable disease and patients rejecting surgical treatment.
