Chemotherapy for advanced and recurrent squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck with high and low dose cis-diamminedichloroplatinum.

Cis-diamminedichloroplatinum (cis-DDP) in both a high dose regimen of 120 mg/M2 every three weeks with pretherapy hydration and mannitol diuresis and a low dose regimen of 20 mg/M2 daily for five days and cycled every three weeks have effective antitumor activity in approximately one third of patients. Its toxicity in both regimens appears to limit the number of cycles of administration and the duration of response. Further trials with dose schedules intermediate between the present high and low dose schedules are needed to provide a suitable and effective one day regimen every three to four weeks that can be given on an outpatient basis and on a long-term basis.