Intra-arterial chemotherapy with docetaxel and cysplatin in combined treatment of patients with locally advanced squamouse cell head and neck cancer (SCHNC)

15528 Background: Currently the main role in chemotherapy of head and neck cancer from the 90ths is related to taxans. To elevate the effect of combination docetaxel + cysplatin and to reduce their toxic influence to the organism we have studied intra-arterial path of delivery at the combined therapy of head and neck cancer. Methods: We treated 53 patients with locally advanced SCHNC(T3, T4). All patients received 2 courses of intra-arterial chemotherapy by catheterization the feeding arteries of tumor through the external carotid artery: docetaxel-80 mg/m2, cysplatin-100 mg/m2. Further, depending on the results of chemotherapy, there were performed radiotherapy and surgical treatment in necessary volumes. Results: By analyzing the effect of docetaxel + cysplatin combination in different tumor localizations, we have concluded that the best results have been achieved in oral cavity cancer: 9 (29.1%) patients with CR and 16 (51.6%) patients with PR. Worst results have been achieved in maxilla cancer: 0 CR and 14 PR (63.6%). Hematologic toxicity of chemotherapy has manifested only in 18.8% patients (I, II grade). Non-hemathologic toxicity: alopecia 67.9%; periphery neuropathy 11.3; mucositis 5.3%. Performing radiotherapy as the second stage after chemotherapy has increased the number of patients with CR, in patients with oral cancer up to 45.1% and with maxilla cancer up to 18.1%. All results has been confirmed by cytomorphology. As of now surgical treatment has been performed for 30 patients (56.6%). 86.8% patients have been followed up for 6 to 30 months. Conclusion: This neoadjuvant intra-arterial chemotherapy with docetaxel + cysplatin allows both increasing the results of combined therapy and reducing the toxicity of chemotherapy. No significant financial relationships to disclose.