[Concept and first experiences of an oncologic therapy of head and neck carcinoma (author's transl)]

From the principle of an adjuvant chemotherapy evolved a concept of an oncologic therapy of head and neck carcinomas. Even according to the latest international publications there are no such studies until now (Clarysse, Kenis, and Mathé; Recent Results in Cancer Research, Vol. 53, p. 400; Springer, Berlin 1976). Without reducing or shifting the proved indications of curative operation or radiation we used in our clinic in the last years as an adjuvant different cytostatics applicating intra-arterial perfusions or synchronized radio-chemotherapy or polychemotherapy. Among the 200 patients treated hitherto the patients with oropharynx carcinomas conform at present the biggest collective group (intraarterial methotrexat perfusion). Now for the first time after more than two years of observation of 36 patients the efficacy of this treatment can be inferred from the survival rate respectively estimated for the period ahead. Comparing to other surveys it can be confirmed at present that for the total of all tumor stages the 2-year-survival-rate of our patients is 72% against 47% before whereas the survival-rate within the 5-year period can be estimated at 55% to 30%. On the other hand it turned out that 50% of the patients on radio-surgical therapy died after 1.7 years. After the application of adjuvant chemotherapy including operation and radio-therapy the death rate probably will be reached after 6-7 years.