Effect of induction therapy of radiotherapy combined with chemotherapy for squamous cell carcinoma of the mandibular gingiva

Abstract

We carried out clinical, radiographic and histologic investigations on the effect on induction therapy of external radiotherapy combined with chemotherapy using Bleomycin (BLM) or Peplomycin (PEP) for squamous cell carcinoma of the mandibular gingiva. The induction therapy generally included a total radiation dose of 30 Gy given in 15 fractions over three weeks together with either a total BLM dose of 90mg given in 6 fractions. This therapy seemed effective as a preoperative treatment for mandibular gingival carcinoma because it resulted in long-term remission of the tumor in many cases, even when used alone without adjunctive treatment. This effectiveness was confirmed in histological examination on resected tissues.