Now, a combination chemotherapy with Peplomycin, Cisplatin and Mitomycin C (PPM therapy) has been used for head and neck cancer. Between August, 1982 and July, 1985, we treated seven advanced and recurrent cancers with PPM therapy. All cases were treated previously with surgery and radiation therapy. These cases consisted of six males and one female. The age of the patients ranged from 43 to 74 years (mean age 57.7 years). Included were five cases of squamous cell carcinoma and one of epidermoid carcinoma and mucoepidermoid carcinoma. Among these cases, one was a complete response (CR), three were no change (NC), one was a progress disease (PD) and two were impossible to assess. Though we can not assess a response of the PPM therapy objectively, we were under the impression that the PPM therapy will prevent head and neck cancer progression. Regarding side effects, four cases of nausea and vomiting, one of marrow dysfunction, and one of acute kidney dysfunction were observed. We thought, the infusion of cortical steroid and domperidon may be useful for improvement of nausea and vomiting.
