[Palliative chemotherapy of inoperable squamous cell cancer of the head and neck with V-B-M-schedule (author's transl)].

12 patients with far advanced head and neck squamous cell carcinoma, no longer apt to curative therapy, were submitted to palliative chemotherapy by V-B-M- schedule. Palliative therapy has great importance in this type of tumor, which due to its localisation causes terrible deformities and thus psychologically and sociologically forms a heavy burden. Nearly all patients became free of pain, exulcerations could be reduced, successfully general status could be improved. Due to an out patient regimen patients remained at home. Most of all this last circumstance helped to realize true palliative therapy; toxicity was mild.