[Studies on the surgical and chemotherapeutic management of oral cancer]

Of the 101 patients who have been treated with bleomycin since 1971 two groups were formed: Group I: Preoperative chemotherapy with 345 mg bleomycin, followed by radical operation. Group II: 200 mg bleomycin preoperatively, followed by radical operation and postoperative chemotherapy up to a total dose of 345 mg bleomycin. 1. Bleomycin- induced cellular alterations showed a dose-time relation. 2. The treatment plan for group II with 200 mg bleomycin preoperatively plus postoperative cytostatic therapy up to a total of 345 mg resulted in less recurrences and fewer distant metastases than the sole preoperative application of the full dose of 345 mg bleomycin. 3. In all cases, preoperative microscopic examination after administration of the full dose of 345 mg still showed tumor cells with possible growth potential.