Prospidin combined to preoperative irradiation in head and neck cancer.

Twenty-seven patients with operable squamous cell cancer of head and neck were randomized into the study. Twelve patients received Prospidin combined to preoperative radiotherapy and fourteen patients were treated with preoperative radiotherapy alone. The daily dose of the drug was from 0.70 mg/kg to 2 mg/kg and the total dose during preoperative radiotherapy was between 1800 mg and 2250 mg with a mean of 2073 mg. The recurrence rate was in patients receiving Prospidin three out of twelve and in patients treated with irradiation alone four out of fourteen during the observation time of 33 months. In the present study Prospidin combined with preoperative radiotherapy had no advantage as compared to irradiation alone.