Experiences with intra-arterial chemotherapy for head and neck cancer

During the 10-year period from 1966-1975, 250 patients with various head and neck cancers were treated by intra-arterial chemotherapy using single agents or various combinations. Only 15 patients showed response of I-C category according to Karnofsky's criteria, and 100 patients had I-B response. Another 100 patients showed I-A category of response and 35 patients had progressive disease out of which 5 patients exhibited excessive toxicity to drugs, eventually succumbing to it. A majority of patients in nonresponding (O-O) category and I-A category were earlier treated by radiotherapy, and intra-arterial chemotherapy was given for recurrent disease. The responses were relatively good whenever chemotherapy was given as a primary treatment before surgery and radiotherapy. Again response was additive when chemotherapy was given concurrently with radiotherapy.