Background & objective: There were few reports about combined usage of taxotere in induction chemotherapy of head and neck cancer. It was reported previously that the total response rate in advanced head and neck cancer using TPF regimen [taxotere+cisplatin(DDP)+5-fluorouracil (5-FU)] was 93%. In this article, the authors preliminarily reported the response rate and side effects of TPF regimen in head and neck cancers.
Methods: Twenty-five cases with head and neck cancers in Guangzhou Tumor Hospital from January 1999 to June 2002 were reviewed. All cases underwent induction chemotherapy using TPF regimen (taxotere 75 mg/m(2), i.v. drip, d1; DDP 20 mg/m(2), i.v. drip, d1-3; 5-FU 300 mg/m(2), i.v. drip, d1-3; repeat per 3 weeks). All cases were followed up during chemotherapy and their response was evaluated after induction chemotherapy. The side effects were recorded.
Results: Six cases (24.0%) and 12 cases(48.0%) presented complete remission (CR) and partial remission (PR) after induction chemotherapy using TPF regimen, respectively. There were 7 cases with minimal or none response. The total response rate (CR+PR) after TPF induction chemotherapy was 72.0%. The response rates in oral cancers and the cancers in other primary sites including the base of tongue, larynx, hypopharynx, and nasopharynx were compared. It demonstrated that the response rates were 63.6%(7/11) and 71.4%(10/14), respectively, and there was no significant difference between the two groups (P=0.504). In this study, there were 9 cases that relapsed after first treatment. Their response rate after TPF induction chemotherapy was 44.4% (4/9), which had 1 case of CR and 3 cases of PR. In this study, 36.0% (9/25) patients had leucopoenia including 16.0% (4/25) of degree I, 16.0% (4/25) of degree II, 4.0%(1/25) of degree III according to WHO standard;64%(16/25) of patients presented side effects in alimentary system, but the level was all under II according to WHO standard. The side effects in kidney in all patients were degree 0. Other side effects included hair loss but their degrees were all under II according to WHO standard.
Conclusion: Induction chemotherapy using TPF regimen in local advanced head and neck cancers could have good chemotherapy response. It is effective for local relapse cases after first treatment and its side effects are tolerable.