A large maxillofacial prosthesis for total mandibular defect: a case report.

We successfully fabricated a large maxillofacial prosthesis for replacement of a total mandibular defect resulting from surgical failure to reconstruct the mandible. Although a number of reports have described procedures for fabricating midfacial prostheses, there is little information on prostheses to compensate for total loss of the mandible. A 54-year-old woman was referred to the Dentistry and Oral Surgery Division of the National Cancer Center Hospital with total loss of the mandible and the surrounding facial soft tissue. The facial prosthesis we used to treat this patient is unique in that it is adequately retained without the use of extraoral implants and conventional adhesives. This prosthesis is retained by the bilateral auricles and the remaining upper front teeth. We present details of the design of this large silicone maxillofacial prosthesis, with which we successfully rehabilitated the patient.

[Phase II study of UFT for head and neck cancer].

A Phase II study of UFT for head and neck cancer was conducted in 10 institutions. UFT is a mixture of Futraful and uracil. Eighty-four patients entered this trial, of which 60 were evaluable. UFT was administered orally at a daily dose of 600 mg/day. Eight patients achieved complete response and 10 achieved partial response with an over-all response rate of 30.0 %. Evaluating response according to by histology, the response rate was 30.9% for cases of squamous cell carcinoma. Complete response was observed in one case of undifferentiated carcinoma. Response rate according to primary site was 33 to 40% for the nose & paranasal sinuses, mesopharynx, hypopharynx and larynx. The response rate was 28.9% for the group of patients treated previously, and 33.3% for the group previously untreated. The mean time for 50% or more regression of the tumor was 4.3 weeks. Toxic effects appeared in 40.3% of 67 evaluable cases as anorexia, nausea, vomiting, stomatitis, diarrhea etc. In one case of maxillary carcinoma, severe bone marrow suppression was observed. We concluded that UFT therapy was markedly effective for head and neck cancer.