Intra-arterial chemotherapy of head and neck tumours

The benefits and complications of regional chemotherapy in the treatment of head and neck tumours are discussed. Intra-arterial chemotherapy has been employed in 72 cases of preoperative, postoperative and palliative management. Cytostatic treatment consisted of combined Vincristine, bleomycin, methotrexate, and mitolactol administration by a Watkins-USCI or Sharp chronofusor. In cases of preoperative treatment the tumour regression was in the range of 50-80%. Tumours of the gingiva, parotid gland, maxilla and tonsil responded very well, tumours of the tongue less well to the treatment. The most dangerous complication is thrombosis of the common carotid artery; to avoid this complication the prothrombin index was reduced and kept at the 30-40% level.