[Chemotherapy in the multi-disciplinary treatment of head and neck tumors: evaluation of a chemosensitivity test].

In the multi-disciplinary treatment of head and neck tumor, anti-cancer chemotherapy was evaluated on the basis of survival rate, response rate, and preservation of function and shape. Chemotherapy significantly improved the survival rates in maxillary cancer, cervical esophago-hypopharyngeal cancer and malignant lymphoma in stage II. A better than partial response was obtained in 42% of the patients by a combination of Peplomycin, Vincristine, Endoxan, Mitomycin C, Predonine, 5-FU and Adriamycin. Functional and cosmetic preservation with combined chemotherapy was observed only in maxillary cancer. Chemosensitivities for head and neck malignant tumors were measured by both clonogenic assay and rapid scintillation assay in order to evaluate the sensitivity test. Successful growth rate of head and neck tumors in the clonogenic assay was 58%, while that in the scintillation assay was 54%. Squamous cell carcinoma in the head and neck region was sensitive to Peplomycin, Bleomycin, 5-FU, Mitomycin C, Adriamycin and Cisplatin in that order. Although no concrete merit of these tests has yet been achieved, inoperable recurrent cancer or maxillary carcinoma could be treated by more effective drugs selected by these methods.