Failure of alkylating agents to improve induction chemotherapy of oropharyngeal squamous cell cancer.

Background: This prospective semi-randomized study was undertaken to assess the effects and effectiveness of alkylating drugs in a preoperative setting.

Patients And Methods: During a 6-year period preceding February 2000, 80 patients with Stage II-IVa (AJCC 2002) squamous cell cancer of the oral cavity were treated. Thirty patients (Group N) received a combination of bleomycin, vincristine and methotrexate (BVM).

Results and failures with or without cisplatin containing induction chemotherapy in the treatment of squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck.

This prospective randomised study was undertaken to assess the effects and effectiveness of cisplatin in a pre-operative setting. Thirty-eight patients were treated with stage II-IVa (AJCC) squamous cell cancer of the oral cavity and oropharynx. Nineteen patients received a combination of bleomycin, vincristine, methotrexate (BVM; group I.