Cisplatin as second line chemotherapy in advanced or recurrent squamous cell carcinoma of head and neck region

Thirty-two patients with advanced or recurrent carcinoma of the head and neck were treated with cis-dichlorodiaminoplatinum II (CDDP) 75 mg/m2 every third week as second line chemotherapy. The response rate was 3 per cent with one complete and no partial responders, 16 patients with no change and 10 with progressive disease. Five were not evaluated concerning response. Median time to progression was 12 weeks (confidence limits 10-17 weeks) and median survival time 21 weeks (confidence limits 10 to 33 weeks, range 4 to 109). No severe hematologic toxicity was seen. Two patients had progressive polyneuropathy, one had a severe decline in Cr-EDTA-clearance and in one decline in auditory function was suspected. It is concluded that CDDP in this schedule has no role as second line chemotherapy in advanced cancer of head and neck.