[Cancer of the maxillary antrum--a new multidisciplinary treatment containing neo-adjuvant chemotherapy].

During the period 1957-1982, 227 patients with maxillary carcinoma were treated. These cases were divided into 4 groups according to periods and methods of treatment. Five-year determinate survival figures for each group are as follows: I (1957-1966) 22%, 20/91, II (1967-1973) 40%, 27/67, III (1974-1978) 37%, 13/35, IV (1979-1982) 56%, 9/16 (3-year survival). The incorporation of intraarterial chemotherapy into the treatment of maxillary carcinoma has much contributed to an improvement of 5-year survival. Since 1982, a new multidisciplinary treatment containing neo-adjuvant chemotherapy has been introduced into the treatment of this type of carcinoma. Neo-adjuvant chemotherapy: day 1, cisplatin ( CPDD ) 50 mg/m2 or 80 mg/body i.a. over 2 hr., day 2-6, peplomycin (PEP) 5 mg/day i.a. over 5 hr. Two courses of chemotherapy were given with an interval of 2 weeks. Radiotherapy combined with intraarterial chemotherapy: Linac. 40 Gy/4 wks., 5-FU i.a. 250 mg/day q.d. (for 10 days). When no cancer cells were detected at the completion of this therapy, adjuvant chemoimmunotherapy was given. When an apparent tumor was still revealed by CT, radical surgery was performed. When cancer cells were detected only by histological examination, additional radiotherapy up to 60 Gy was given by Linac. The results obtained were analysed in 9 patients who completed this therapy. At the completion of CPDD and PEP treatment, complete response was achieved in 5 cases and partial response in 3 cases with a response rate of 89%. In 2 out of the 9 cases, no cancer cells were detected by histological examination after chemotherapy. No cancer cells were detected in 2 other cases after 40 Gy by Linac. combined with 5-FU i.a. infusion, and in 3 other cases after 60 Gy by Linac. combined with 5-FU. Two patients had radical surgery because of uncontrolled tumors. Periods of follow-up are too short, but it is expected that this new multidisciplinary treatment results in the higher survival.