Combination chemotherapy prior to definitive local therapy in squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck.

30 patients with locally advanced squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck were given chemotherapy with methotrexate, bleomycin and cis-Platinum prior to planned definitive surgery and/or radiation therapy. Chemotherapy was well tolerated and 90% of patients responded. Of 14 initially unresectable patients, 6 became operable after chemotherapy. After definitive therapy 70% of patients were considered complete responders, and 43% of the entire cohort remain disease-free. All partial responders have died. Patients receiving chemotherapy, surgery and radiation had a significantly greater likelihood of achieving a complete response than those receiving chemotherapy and radiation alone. Although this initial chemotherapy is highly active in this disease its contribution to ultimate survival is unclear. Overall treatment success is determined by the results of definitive therapy.