[Results of bleomycin therapy in recurrent head and neck tumors (author's transl)]

40 patients with previously treated recurrent head and neck carcinomas have been treated with Bleomycin. The total dose of drug administered ranged from 360-600 mg. In three patients, treatment had to be interrupted because of severe side effects of the drug. Temporary complete disappearance of tumor occurred in three patients, whereas incomplete tumor regression briefly occurred in one third of those patients treated. Survival time for all patients averaged three months. A possible immunosuppressive effect of Bleomycin is also discussed, as based on clinical observations noted in one of the patients treated.