[Intra-arterial chemotherapy as a part of a combination-therapy in carcinoma of the oropharynx].

Since 1973 75 patients with carcinoma of the oropharynx were treated with regional cytostatic chemotherapy as an initial step of a combined therapy which consists of an follow-up operation and/or radiation. Methotrexate was used in intraarterial short infusions with Leucovorin rescue. The tumor response to i.a. chemotherapy was definite in 80% of the cases, without any negative side effects in the patients who are usually in a reduced general condition. After i.a. chemotherapy to reach a partial remission of the tumor and to create better conditions for the following therapy, we always tried to perform an operation and radiation. With this combination-therapy we reached, in the 1 year NED results as well as in the 3 year survival rate, with 60% resp. 54% better results than in patients who were only radiated after i.a. chemotherapy (43% 1 year NED results resp. 43% 3 year survival rate). A chemotherapy of oropharynx carcinoma is only justified, if other therapy forms follow up, if possible, composed of an operation and radiation. Because of the high rate of response of tumors seen in our patients, the low rate of side effects and the noticeable remission of the tumor-caused complaints it seems to us that the i.a. infusion therapy with methotrexate is a suitable form of chemotherapy for carcinoma of the oropharynx.