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Sequential methotrexate–5‐fluorouracil treatment of squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck
Author(s) -
Ringborg Ulrik,
Ewert GÖSta,
Kinnman Jan,
Lundqvist PerGotthard,
Strander Hans
Publication year - 1983
Publication title -
cancer
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 3.052
H-Index - 304
eISSN - 1097-0142
pISSN - 0008-543X
DOI - 10.1002/1097-0142(19830915)52:6<971::aid-cncr2820520606>3.0.co;2-b
Subject(s) - medicine , fluorouracil , methotrexate , toxicity , radiation therapy , basal cell , chemotherapy , head and neck , epidermoid carcinoma , carcinoma , oncology , head and neck squamous cell carcinoma , head and neck cancer , surgery
Thirty‐six patients with squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck were treated with sequential methotrexate–5‐fluorouracil followed by leucovorin rescue. The frequency of objective tumor regression obtained was 64% (complete response + partial response) with 19% complete regression. In 20 not previously treated patients, the objective response rate was 70%. Approximately the same result was obtained for tumors of different anatomical sites of the head and neck. The degree of differentiation of the squamous cell carcinoma did not seem to be of prognostic importance for the initial tumor response. Toxicity was very mild and usually disappeared when the interval between the chemotherapy courses was prolonged from 1 to 2 weeks. Radiotherapy could be added sequentially to the treatment without measurable escalated toxicity.