[Results of a phase II study with the new cytostatic drug carboplatin in combination with 5-fluorouracil in the primary treatment of advanced squamous cell cancers of the head and neck].

Chemotherapeutic regimens containing Cisplatin are the most effective in the treatment of squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck. Because of the high rate of dose-limiting side effects of Cisplatin, Carboplatin, a second generation Cisplatin analog, was tested in a phase II trial with 5-FU on 55 previously untreated patients with advanced carcinoma of the head and neck. The results of the completed study are: 33% CR, 54% PR, 10% NR and 4% PD. Toxic side effects were tolerable myelotoxicity as with Cisplatin/5FU, mild nausea, vomiting and nephrotoxicity. No ototoxicity was seen. Most patients showed better performance status after chemotherapy with increased body weight. These results indicate that Carboplatin/5-FU is more effective and has milder side effects than Cisplatin/5-FU.