Retrospective study of 139 cases of epidermoid carcinoma of the upper respiratory and digestive tracts treated by induction chemotherapy with cisplatin-5FU. Influence of the result on the therapeutic protocol

• Published in: Annales d'oto-laryngologie et de chirurgie cervico-faciale Vol. 109; no. 8; p. 410
• Main Authors: Mahé, E, Filleul, A, Sachwald, J, Meeus, L, Bertrand, F, Berlie, J, Banal, A, Zojaji, A, Tubiana-Hulin, M
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: French
• Published: France 1992
• Subjects: Adult; Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols - therapeutic use; Carcinoma, Squamous Cell - drug therapy; Carcinoma, Squamous Cell - pathology; Cisplatin - administration & dosage; Combined Modality Therapy; Female; Fluorouracil - administration & dosage; Head and Neck Neoplasms - drug therapy; Head and Neck Neoplasms - pathology; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Neoplasm Staging; Retrospective Studies; Survival Analysis
• ISSN: 0003-438X

A retrospective study of 139 untreated staged III and IV epidermoid carcinomas of the upper aero digestive tract is reported concerning oropharynx, oral cavity, hypopharynx and larynx, all of them received as a first treatment, chemotherapy using a five days course of Cisplatinium (20 mg/m2/D) and 5FU (1,000 mg/m2/D). The aim of the trial was to determine: a) a free of disease survival and a global survival rate's increase, b) a more conservative treatment. The results of chemotherapy were clinically evaluated in two groups: Responders (a total or a more than 50% response), and no responders. The results were: on the tumor site: 64% responders (25% total response)--more in smaller lesion; on the lymphatic nodes: 54% responders (more in N1-N2). The results vary in inverse ratio to the stage of the lesion; usually, 2 cycles of chemotherapy are used but in case of efficiency: 2 to 6 cycles are provided increasing to 20% the rate of the total responders; toxicity of the drugs was neligible: 6 cases, 3 of them were renal insufficiency. The global survival rate at 3 months reaches 56.7%. The median line of survival reaches 32 months in responders reverse 15 months (NR); but there are no significant difference between the two groups concerning the recurrences, or the metastasis. The local treatment (after chemotherapy) decided in the 137 patients was surgery, in 40 cases and radiotherapy, in 97 cases (conservative treatment; 80%).