Concept of cytostatic therapy in advanced tumours of the head and neck.

In cases with inoperable tumours of the head and neck some benefit may still be derived from cytostatics and radiotherapy. One treatment concept is based on intraarterial infusion therapy (bleomycin, methotrexate), while the systemic intravenous application of cytostatic substances (bleomycin, cyclophosphamide) is considered as an alternative of the intra-arterial approach is ruled out. Of the 31 intra-arterially and the 30 intravenously treated patients (all except 2 had squamous cell carcinomas), 64,5% and 20%, respectively, went into remission. This documents the validity of our treatment concept.