[Antineoplastic chemotherapy of head and neck tumors (author's transl)]

The antineoplastic chemotherapy as a treatment of advanced squamous head and neck tumors should be considered as a third fundamental therapy in addition to classical surgery and x-ray techniques. In comparison to other sequences the most favorable results are to be expected when chemotherapy is the first step followed by surgery and radiotherapy. The extend of remission and the median survival time by systemic combined chemotherapy of Methothrexate (MTX), Vincristine and Bleomycin on squamous cell carcinoma of the oral cavity and of the oropharynx seems to be the most acceptable treatment, while i.a. chemotherapy with MTX obviously has a most sufficient effect on hypopharynx carcinoma. A combined cis-platinum therapy or i.a. chemotherapy of MTX and Bleomycin or the combination of Vincristine, Bleomycin and low dose MTX underline good single results but the small collectives and short-term follow up do not allow any statement up to now.