[Clinical study of HCFU and radiation therapy for head and neck cancer]

Clinical study of HCFU for head and neck cancer was performed HCFU at a daily dose of 600 to 900 mg. Was orally administered to 30 patients, including 5 patients with metastases. The primary sites of cancer were: larynx 9 cases, mesopharynx 6 cases, hypopharynx 5 cases, maxilla 5 cases, nasopharynx 3 cases, parotid gland and floor of the mouth one each. All of them were squamous cell carcinoma except a case presenting parotid lesion caused by adenocarcinoma. In 7 cases receiving the single therapy of HCFU for one month, a positive response was presented in one out of 7. Twenty-three cases treated HCFU in combination with radiation, 11 showed complete response (CR: over 90% decrease of tumor size), 6 showed partial response (PR: over 50% decrease), 3 showed minor response (MR: over 25% decrease), and 3 were diagnosed as no change (NC). Positive responses evaluated as PR or above obtained at the mean cumulative dose of 25.7 Gy and HCFU 15972 mg. Four cases receiving HCFU in adjuvant chemotherapy were studied only for clinical toxicity. Clinical toxicities of HCFU in 30 patients were presented in transient pollakiuria (7 cases), neurotoxic effect (2), eruption and diarrhea (one each). Symptoms similar to anemia and unconsciousness caused by the intake of alcohol were found in 6 patients. Although positive effect of HCFU was observed only in one case being administered singly, it presented better results in more cases when administered in combination with radiation. The combination therapy also made the lesions respond faster than by radiation therapy only. Intake of any alcohol is not advisable.