Cytotoxic chemotherapy for patients with terminal squamous carcinoma--does it influence survival?

The absence of any good scientific evidence that a single cytotoxic chemotherapy regimen is effective in the palliation of squamous carcinoma of the head and neck is reflected in the diverse manner with which palliative chemotherapy is used in the UK. We conducted a survey of the members of the Association of Head and Neck Oncologists of Great Britain: 70% of the specialists questioned used palliative chemotherapy for head and neck cancer. Bleomycin was cited by 80% of the chemotherapy users, whereas cisplatin was cited only by 35%. We also report the results of a controlled trial of palliative chemotherapy in head and neck cancer. Cisplatin prolonged survival and time spent at home but Bleomycin did not. Also there appeared to be a synergistic effect between Cisplatin and Bleomycin.