[Induction chemotherapy with cisplatin and 5-FU in locally advanced head and neck cancer. Study of 2 administration schedules]. / Quimioterapia de inducción con cisplatino y 5-FU en cáncer de cabeza y cuello localmente avanzado. Estudio en dos protocolos de administración.

67 patients were included in two different protocols with cisplatin and 5-fluorouracil as induction chemotherapy. Group A (30 patients), received cisplatin in bolus and 5-FU in continuous infusion for 120 hours, and Group B (37 patients), were treated with cisplatin and 5-FU both in continuous infusion for 96 hours. All patients received surgery and/or radiotherapy after chemotherapy. Overall response in Group A was 73% with 27% Complete Clinic Response (CCR), and in Group B 81% with 40.5% (CCR). Overall survival at 24 months was 58% and 63%, respectively.

[Neoadjuvant chemotherapy with cis-platin and 5-fluorouracil in continuous infusion (96 h.), in stages III and IV of carcinomas of the upper aerodigestive tract]. / Quimioterapia neoadyuvante con Cis-Platino y 5-Fluoracilo en infusión contínua (96 h.), en los estadíos III y IV de los carcinomas de vías aerodigestivas superiores.

We have studied 37 patients with advanced head and neck cancer. A combination of Cis-Platinum and 5-Fluorouracil, both administered four days continuously as infusion, was assessed. There were 15 complete responses (40.5%), 15 partial responses (40.5%) and the number of objective responses was 30 (81.5%). Survival is 79.1% at 22 months and none of the patients in complete responses has relapsed during this period.

Four-day continuous infusion of cisplatin and 5-fluorouracil in head and neck cancer.

A combination of cisplatin and 5-fluorouracil, both administered 4 days continuously as infusion, was assessed in advanced head and neck cancer. Of the 37 patients studied, there were 15 complete and 17 partial responses (40.5% and 45.9%, respectively). Survival is 79.1% at 22 months. None of the patients in complete response has relapsed. In general toxic effects were moderate. Given as initial treatment, the regimen is effective and of considerable use in this type of patient.