[Primary chemotherapy of advanced squamous epithelial carcinomas of the head and neck]

Advanced stage squamous cell carcinomas of the head and neck have a particularly poor prognosis despite surgical and irradiation treatment. Over the last few years attempts have been made to improve the local control rate using primary chemotherapy. 70 patients with advanced carcinomas were treated with methotrexate, cisplatin and bleomycin using double the dose of cisplatin as in the EORTC-study. The remission rate for patients undergoing two treatment courses was 83%. Toxicity was moderate to low with additional intensive anti-emetic treatment. The combination is well suited for chemotherapy of advanced tumours of the head and neck in combined treatment programmes.