[A case of advanced hypopharyngeal carcinoma successfully treated with superselective intra-arterial infusion of docetaxel].

Docetaxel is an excellent agent with a high antitumor effect for advanced/recurrent head and neck cancer. A 67-year-old male with advanced hypopharyngeal cancer (T3N2bM1: Stage IV) underwent two courses of superselective intra-arterial infusion of docetaxel and intravenous administration of CDDP and 5-FU. Using a coaxial technique, a microcatheter was placed in the feeding artery. Using imaging techniques docetaxel (60 mg/body and 30 mg/body) was infused into the vessels. During chemotherapy the patient received concomitant radiotherapy (50 Gy). MRI after chemoradiation showed a complete response for the primary tumor and a partial response for the neck metastasis. Grade 4 leukopenia and neutropenia and grade 3 pharyngitis/esophagitis were observed during chemoradiotherapy, but these adverse effects abated immediately and were not critical. We conclude that this superselective intra-arterial infusion of docetaxel will be useful and safe for head and neck cancer.