Palliative intra-arterial (i.a.) chemotherapy with carboplatin (CBDCA) and 5-FU in unresectable advanced (stage III and IV) head and neck cancer using implantable port-systems.

Intra-arterial drug therapy for head and neck cancer has been used for over 30 years. Owing to catheter-related complications occurring quite frequently this method was abandoned in many institutions. However, the development of subcutaneously implantable injection ports has renewed interest in regional drug delivery. A total of 19 injection ports have been implanted in 17 patients suffering from advanced or recurrent head and neck cancer. Regional chemotherapy was well tolerated; the predominant side effects were hemialopecia and mild unilateral mucositis. Therefore, regional, intra-arterial chemotherapy using implantable injection ports should be considered for palliative treatment of advanced head and neck cancer.