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Initial Adjuvant Therapy in Advanced Squamous Cell Carcinoma of the Head and Neck Employing Weekly High Dose Methotrexate with Leucovorin Rescue
Author(s) -
Pitman Susan W.,
Miller Daniel,
Weichselbaum Ralph
Publication year - 1978
Publication title -
the laryngoscope
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.181
H-Index - 148
eISSN - 1531-4995
pISSN - 0023-852X
DOI - 10.1002/lary.1978.88.4.632
Subject(s) - medicine , methotrexate , head and neck , basal cell , oncology , adjuvant , head and neck squamous cell carcinoma , head and neck cancer , radiation therapy , surgery
Our initial experience with weekly high dose methotrexate with leucovorin rescue (MTX‐LCV), in advanced recurrent or metastatic squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck with a 77% tumor response rate and high therapeutic index, prompted a trial of MTX‐LCV as initial adjuvant therapy in high risk nonmetastatic patients. Results in 11 patients are presented and confirm the high response rate to MTX‐LCV and the low incidence of myelotoxicity and mucositis, when concurrent urinary alkalinization is employed. Initial MTX‐LCV administration has not compromised subsequent optimum aggressive combinations of surgery and radiation therapy. Cytoreduction with MTX‐LCV may be safely used initially in combined therapy for high risk squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck.