Methotrexate and radiation therapy in the treatment of advanced head and neck tumors.

Ninety-six patients with advanced squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck were randomized to treatment with intravenous methotrexate followed by radical irradiation or radiotherapy alone. No significant differences were demonstrated in local disease control or actuarial survival rates at three and five years. Some patients with local treatment failure were surgically salvaged.