[Preoperative radiochemotherapy in advanced oral and oropharyngeal carcinoma]

In a prospective study, 16 patients with advanced carcinoma of oral cavity and oropharynx were submitted to a combined preoperative radio-chemotherapy. The radiosensitizers mitomycin and 5 fluorouracil were given simultaneously with the beginning of radio-therapy. The primary tumor as well as the lymph node regions were exposed to a total dose of 50 Gy administered over five weeks. Eight out of 16 pretreated patients had a complete histological remission, 4/16 a partial remission, and 4/16 showed a tumor reduction of less than 50%. A progression was found in no case. The treatment of lymph node metastases had a slightly poorer effect: CR 7/16, PR 3/16, NC 5/16, PD 0. Therapy effect and side effects as well as the effect on late results of simultaneous radio-chemotherapy are discussed.