Preoperative sequential chemotherapy in locally advanced squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck

Background. Induction chemotherapy may contribute to decreased local and distant recurrences in patients with locally advanced squamous cell carcinoma ot the head and neck (SCCHN) resectable tor cure. Methods. Patients with previously untreated locally advanced stage III-IV (NO-2, MO) SCCHN received a dose-dense sequential regimen combining cisplatin/5-fluorouracil followed by bleomycin/methotrexate/hydroxyurea. Induction chemotherapy was followed by locoregional surgery and/or radiation therapy. Results. Among 37 patients, 23 (62%) had T4 primary tumors. Grade 3 to 4 asymptomatic hematologic toxicity occurred in less than 15% of patients. Nonhematologic toxicities were limited to grade 1 to 2 in less than 20% of patients. In the overall cohort (intent-to-treat; n = 35), 24 (68.5%) of 35 patients had objective clinical responses, including nine complete responses (25.7%). Fifty-seven percent of patients were free of disease at 2.5 years. Conclusions. Sequential induction chemotherapy is feasible and active in patients with locally advanced head and neck cancers and may further include recent compounds such as taxanes.