[A clinical study of inoperable head and neck cancers]

Thirty two patients with inoperable head and neck cancer seen at Jichi Medical School Hospital during the period 1978 to 1995 were analyzed. Distribution of the affected site was as follows: 15 cases of oropharynx, 12 of hypopharynx, and 3 of larynx. In order to study a better performance status, prognosis and side effects were compared between radiotherapy alone (17 patients) and combined radiochemotherapy (15 patients). Patients who received the combined therapy survived longer than those patients who received radiotherapy alone. Moreover, high QOL was obtained longer in the combined therapy. Therefore, we conclude that radiotherapy should be combined with chemotherapy for cases with inoperable head and neck cancer.