[Palliative chemotherapy of recurring squamous cell carcinomas of the ENT field with the combination cis-diamminodichloroplatinum (II)/adriamycin].

23 patients with recurrent squamous cell carcinoma of head and neck (SCCHN) were treated with a combination of cisplatin 120 mg/m2 and adriamycin 60 mg/m2, both administered by I.V. infusion over 4 hours and 15 minutes, respectively, at day 1. The courses were repeated at 3-weeks interval. Hydration and diuresis forced via mannitol were much lower than usual with such high doses of cisplatin. All patients were intensively pretreated by surgery and/or radiotherapy, further local treatment being impossible; all had loco-regional recurrence, 2 distant metastases additionally. 21/23 patients could be evaluated, 6/21 objective responses (2 CR, 4 PR, RR = 28,5%) were seen, in 7/21 patients a minor response was obtained. Objective toxicity, especially nephrotoxicity, was mild, the major effect being short-lasting severe nausea and vomiting. The results obtained with this regimen are comparable to data obtained by other chemotherapy programmes. However, in our opinion at the moment the subjective toxicity seems too severe to recommend this regime for palliative treatment of recurrent SCCHN. Possibly the cisplatin-induced vomiting can be avoided or at least diminished by high doses of metoclopramid.