[A new interdisciplinary treatment concept for head and neck tumors. Fundamentals, practicability and initial...

Surgery and subsequent irradiation are still considered as the basic treatment of advanced head and neck tumours. Improvements may be achieved by initial combined chemotherapy. However, this regimen has not yet been statistically substantiated. In order to reduce the therapeutic morbidity, Cis-platinum was given as a cytotoxic and radiosensitizing agent simultaneously with percutaneous irradiation. In case of partial tumour regression after a target volume dose of 40 Gy, radiotherapy was continued up to 60 or 70 Gy respectively. In case of minor tumour response, surgery was interposed after a dose of 40 Gy, followed by completing radiotherapy. After a maximum follow-up period of 14 months, 18 out of 22 patients show no evidence of tumour. In two cases a partial regression is seen. One patient died from intercurrent disease, another from uncontrolled primary. This tumour control rate is comparable to the data achieved with initial combined chemotherapy regimens, at a lower level of morbidity. Our preliminary results seem to corroborate the experimentally proven enhancement effect of Cis-platinum.