新辅助化疗治疗进展期胃癌1 例

1 例59岁男性患者诊断为胃癌。胃周围、腹腔干多发肿大淋巴结。行CT检查考虑局部进展期胃癌（cT4,cN2,cM0）,因考虑患者的病情与年龄情况,给予mFOLFOX7 方案化疗2 个周期：OXA100mg/m2ivd 1（2hr ）,CF400mg/m2ivd 1（2hr ）,5-FU 2 400mg/m2civd 1（46hr ）。 复查CT肿物明显缩小,胃周围、腹腔干肿大淋巴结缩小。根据RECIST评价病情考虑为PR。行全胃切除+D2 淋巴结清扫+ 胰尾部分切除+ 脾切除术。术后病理分期为pT4N2M0ⅢB 期。mFOLFOX新辅助化疗成功的治疗此例胃癌患者,但是其在进展期胃癌治疗中的作用,仍需进一步的临床研究证实。无法达到R0 切除以及无远处转移的局部进展期胃癌患者可考虑行新辅助化疗。     

Locally advanced pancreatic cancer that enlarged after administration of gemcitabine and responded to oral TS-1--a case report

We administered oral TS-1 alone for locally advanced pancreatic cancer that did not respond to gemcitabine (GEM). A 56-year-old man was admitted to our hospital because of obstructive jaundice due to stage III pancreatic head cancer. We performed chemotherapy using GEM at a dose of 1,000 mg/m(2) after reduction of jaundice by PTCD and stenting. Once the tumor was reduced, enlargement was confirmed after 8 months, and cholangitis appeared due to stent obstruction. After PTCD and stenting (stent in stent) were performed again,we administered oral TS-1 alone at a dose of 100 mg/body. We achieved antitumor activity again using TS-1. It is suggested that TS-1 is a useful second-line agent for pancreatic cancer.     

Phase I/II study of combination chemotherapy with gemcitabine and UFT for advanced pancreatic cancer in a multi-center trial

The aim of this phase I/II study was to evaluate the tolerability and efficacy of combination chemotherapy with gemcitabine (GEM) and UFT for advanced pancreatic cancer. In phase I study UFT was given orally every day for 14 days and GEM was infused on day 1 and 8 at three dose levels (800, 900, 1,000 mg/m(2)/week) every 21 days. GEM 1,000 mg/m(2) and UFT 400 mg/m(2) did not reach the maximum tolerated dose. We decided that the recommended dose (RD) was GEM 1,000 mg/m(2)and UFT 400 mg/m(2). In phase II study 27 patients were enrolled and received GEM and UFT at RD. The tumor response rate was 17.6%, and the median survival was 221 days, which was very similar to that of GEM monotherapy. Due to adverse events, especially liver dysfunction, protocol therapy was discontinued in 12 patients. This study could not revealed the superiority of the GEM monotherapy.     

Adjuvant chemotherapy for unresectable locally advanced pancreatic cancer in light of its characteristics

The use of neoadjuvant chemotherapy for pancreatic cancer has been advocated for its potential ability to optimize patient selection for surgical resection and to downstage locally advanced tumors, especially for patients with Stage IV b (Japan criteria). We report our experience with a six-drug chemotherapeutic regimen that resulted in sufficient downstaging of the tumor in some patients to justify surgical resection. From Jan. 2001 through December 2003, 6 patients received 5-FU as a continuous infusion (200 mg/m2/day), calcium leucovorin weekly by intravenous bolus injection (30 mg/m2), mitomycin-C every 6 weeks (10 mg/m2 intravenously), and dipyridamole daily orally (75 mg), according to the UCLA regimen and gemcitabine weekly (600 mg/m2) and heparin as a continuous infusion (0-3,000 U/day) for locally advanced unresected pancreatic cancer. All of these patients were evaluable for response and survival. There were 5 partial responses (83% response rate) and 1 no response. Four of 5 responding patients had sufficient tumor regression to meet clinical criteria for resectability, three of whom underwent a curative resection. All patients who underwent downstage operation were still alive for the follow-up period (4-23 months).     

A case report of port-site metastasis of pancreatic cancer after laparoscope assistted distal pancreatectomy

Laparosopic port-site metastasis is rare, but a well recognized outcome following surgery in gastroenterological surgery for gastric cancer, colon cancer and gallbladder cancer with its etiology was not clearly understood. We report a port-site metastasis of pancreatic cancer diagnosed by position emission tomography( PET). A 49-year-old man was diagnosed as splenic tumor with pancreatic tail invasion due to malignant lymphoma, and received a laparoscope assisted distal pancreatectomy. Unsuspected pancreatic cancer was discovered with histological result of moderate differentiated invasive ductal adenocarcinoma of the pancreas infiltrating spleen. Systemic chemotherapy with 1,000 mg/m2 of gemcitabine (GEM) was performed for six months. Unfortunately, our patients relapsed one year after the surgery with multiple lesions in the peritoneum, abdominal wall, as well as a laparoscopic port-site metastasis. He was started on 100 mg/body of S-1 daily, subsequently, combined chemotherapy with GEM( 80 mg/m2) and S-1( 80 mg/body) was also performed. Furthermore, he underwent palliative radiation therapy( 40 Gy) to care the pain. Fortunately, a long-term survival of 3 years was elicited by these systemic treatments and radiography. Laparoscopic port-site metastases are associated with presence of advanced cancer. Therefore, we should carefully precede a laparoscopic resection against pancreatic cancer.     

Retroperitoneal-first laparoscopic approach (Retlap)-assisted distal pancreatectomy with celiac axis resection (DP-CAR): A novel minimally invasive approach for achieving adequate dorsal surgical margin

BackgroundDistal pancreatectomy with celiac axis resection (DP-CAR) is a procedure to secure a surgical margin for a locally advanced pancreatic body cancer that invades the celiac axis. However, in patients with cancer close to the root of the celiac axis, obtaining adequate surgical margins can be difficult because the tumor obstructs the field of vision to the root of the celiac axis. Previously, we described the retroperitoneal-first laparoscopic approach (Retlap) to achieve both accurate evaluation of resectability for locally advanced pancreatic cancer requiring DP-CAR [1] and adequate surgical margin for laparoscopic distal pancreatectomy [2]. In this video, we introduce Retlap-assisted DP-CAR as a minimally invasive approach for performing an artery-first pancreatectomy [3, 4] and achieving sufficient dorsal surgical margin (Fig. 1).MethodsOur patient is a 67-year-old man with a 55 × 29-mm pancreatic body tumor after chemotherapy. Preoperative computed tomography revealed a tumor close to the root of the celiac axis. Because the area of tumor invasion on preoperative images was near the root of the celiac artery, Retlap-assisted DP-CAR was performed to determine whether the celiac axis can be secured and obtain an adequate dorsal surgical margin (Fig. 2).ResultsThe operative time and estimated blood loss was 715 min and 449 mL, respectively. In spite of the advanced tumor's location and size, R0 resection was achieved in a minimally invasive way.ConclusionRetlap-assisted DP-CAR is not only technically feasible and useful for achieving accurate evaluation of resectability but also facilitates obtaining an adequate surgical margin.     

吉西他滨为基础的化疗方案治疗进展期胰腺癌的临床研究

背景与目的:进展期胰腺癌预后差.吉西他滨可以改善胰腺癌患者的生存质量,但吉西他滨联合方案疗效是否优于单药,还存在争议,国内更缺乏相关的临床研究.本研究目的是比较吉西他滨为基础的联合化疗方案与吉西他滨单药治疗进展期胰腺癌的疗效.方法:回顾性分析2000～2005年收治的40例经临床或病理确诊的进展期胰腺癌临床资料,其中吉西他滨单药组15例,吉西他滨剂量为1 000 mg/m2,每周1次,连用7周,休息2周,之后每周1次,连用3周,4周重复;吉西他滨联合治疗组25例,联合化疗方案包括吉西他滨1 000 mg/m2,每周1次,连用2周,分别联合:(1)氟尿嘧啶425～600 mg/m2,静脉滴注或持续静脉泵入,d1-5,3周重复;(2)顺铂60～75 mg/m2,分第1、2天,3周重复;(3)奥沙利铂85～130 mg/m2,d1,3周重复;(4)卡培他滨l000 mg/m2,2次/天,d1-14,3周重复.采用Kaplan-Meier生存曲线分析患者的生存期,并比较两组间的临床受益反应、中位疾病进展时间、中位生存时间和不良反应.结果:吉西他滨联合组与单药组患者的临床受益反应均得到改善(56.0% vs.46.7%),但疾病控制率、中位生存时间、临床受益反应在两组之间差异无统计学意义(P＞0.05),不良反应的发生率也相似(P＞0.05).对Ⅲ～Ⅳ期患者进行分层分析,发现吉西他滨联合组疾病控制率高于单药组(75.0% vs.45.5%),但无统计学意义(P=0.13).结论:吉西他滨联合方案与单药治疗进展期胰腺癌相比,疗效、临床受益反应、中位生存时间两组相似.     

Gemcitabine concurrent with radiation for locally advanced pancreatic cancer

Gemcitabine (GEM) concurrent with radiation is clinically not well defined. We herein report four cases of chemo-radiotherapy against locally advanced pancreatic cancer using low-dose GEM concurrent with extra-beam radiation. A total of eight cases entered the study. Three were resected and five were non-resected cases. Intraoperative radiation was carried out in every case using an 8 or 10 centimeter cone with a radiation dose of 25 Gy. Postoperative radiation was 2 Gy per day on weekdays for 5 weeks. Four cases were concurrent with low-dose GEM (40 mg/m2) twice a week, whereas the other four were radiation only. With the use of GEM concurrent with radiation, tumor markers decreased more than 80 percent regardless of the tumor resection. CT scan confirmed a necrotic change and the decrease of the tumor size. In conclusion, low dose GEM concurrent with radiation therapy may be a promising therapeutic choice for the local control of advanced pancreatic cancers.     

Role of postoperative adjuvant chemotherapy with gemcitabine for pancreatic cancer: feasibility and anti-tumor effect

BACKGROUND: The feasibility and anti-tumor activity of gemcitabine in postoperative adjuvant chemotherapy were evaluated retrospectively. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Sixteen patients with advanced pancreatic cancer, who had a pancreatic resection with curative intent over the three years up to February 2003, were enrolled in this study. Aggressive surgery with dissection of para-aortic nodes and nerves around the superior mesenteric and celiac artery was carried out. After the operation, all patients have been given biweekly administration of 1,000 mg/m2 gemcitabine for more than 12 courses. RESULTS: The chemotherapy was well tolerated with only mild symptomatic and hematologic toxicities. Grade 3 adverse effects were observed in only 3 patients (19%); nausea and vomiting in 1 patient and leucocytopenia in 2 patients. The disease-specific cumulative survival rates were 81% at 1 year and 47% at 2 years, with a median survival of 20.4 months. The median disease-free interval was 16.8 months in all patients. CONCLUSIONS: Adjuvant systemic chemotherapy utilizing gemcitabine was feasible with acceptable adverse effects. Gemcitabine is a promising agent for the treatment of resectable advanced pancreatic cancer, and a randomized control trial is warranted for gemcitabine-based chemotherapy.     

Two cases of advanced pancreas cancer treated with GTX: combined use of gemcitabine, docetaxel and capecitabine

Two cases of advanced pancreas cancer were treated with GTX. One cycle was 3 weeks, capecitabine (1,000 mg/m(2)/day) was administered from day 1 to 14, and GEM 750 mg/m(2) and DOC 30 mg/m(2) were drip-infused on day 4 and 11. A 62-year-old man with pancreas head cancer and 2 liver metastases was treated with GEM 1,000 mg/m(2)/week at weeks 1, 2, and 3, and drug-free week 4 for 3 cycles, but was PD. After 3 cycles of GTX, the liver metastases decreased in size, and thereafter tumor markers became lowest after 7 cycles. The patient was shifted to another regimen after 14 cycles for 9 months of GTX. A 75-year-old man with pancreas head cancer and vascular invasion has been treated with GTX. As leukopenia was seen after the first cycle, the administration doses were reduced and GTX has been continued for a total 13 cycles. The tumor reduced in size and tumor markers decreased. GTX is suitable for outpatient chemotherapy with mild adverse effects.     

A resected case of effective treatment with gemcitabine for advanced pancreatic cancer with peritoneal metastasis

We report a resected case of advanced pancreatic cancer after successful chemotherapy. A 69-year-old man with abdominal pain was diagnosed as locally advanced pancreatic tail cancer with peritoneal metastasis based on computed tomography (CT). Preoperative serum CA 19-9 was 5,046 U/mL. In the outpatient setting, gemcitabine (GEM) at a dose of 1,000 mg/m(2)was administered once a week for 3 weeks with a 1-week rest as 1 cycle. Abdominal CT scan after 5 cycles of chemotherapy revealed that ascites disappeared and the tumor dramatically shrank. Serum CA 19-9 also dropped to 12 U/mL. Thus, we considered the patient had a partial response, and performed distal pancreatectomy and splenectomy with D 3 lymph node dissection. Peritoneal seeding was not found and peritoneal washing cytology was negative. Histological examination of the primary lesion revealed a small amount of residual cancer cells. However, he died of peritoneal metastasis only 3 months after the operation. Surgical resection following chemotherapy should be performed carefully after close evaluation of the antitumor efficacy including residual isolated tumor cell for patients with previously distant metastases.     

A case report--locally advanced pancreatic adenocarcinoma was resected after chemotherapy

The case was a 36-year-old male whose chief complaints were anorexia and weight loss. Upper gastrointestinal endoscopy revealed circumferential stenosis in the fourth portion of the duodenum, while CT revealed a tumor with a diameter of 60 mm continuing as a single mass from the pancreatic body and tail to the fourth portion of the duodenum, and this was accompanied by findings that raised suspicions of circumferential invasion of the superior mesentric artery (SMA). Based on these results and biopsy, the patient was diagnosed with pancreatic and SMA invasion of duodenal cancer that was considered to be unresectable. After performing gastrojejunostomy, we administered DOC (40 mg/m2, day 1), CDDP (60 mg/m2, day 1), and S-1( 80 mg/m2, day 1-14) for 3 courses. The tumor response was PR and the images indicated the SMA invasion was disappeared. We judged that the tumor could be gone by a resection while preserving the SMA. In the surgical findings, the tumor continued as a single mass from the pancreatic body and tail to the third portion of the duodenum, and the surrounding area exhibited marked fibrosis. We performed a pancreatic tail resection along with combined resection of third and fourth portions of the duodenum, transverse colon and splenic flexure, and left adrenal gland. The case was diagnosed to be well-differentiated invasive ductal pancreatic cancer with duodenal invasion. Cancer invasion was not observed in any of the stripped surfaces surrounding the pancreas. The T3, N1, M0, fStage III antitumor effects were mildly effective. In this case, the treatment was initially started by considering the case as one of duodenal cancer, but the final results of a pathological diagnosis revealed that it was pancreatic cancer. However, either way, even though the case was unresectable before the chemotherapy performed for duodenal cancer was significantly effective for the pancreatic cancer. Therefore, a resection became possible, and an R0 resection was also effective.     

A case of advanced pancreatic cancer treated with chemoradiation

A 56-year-old man is presented with diarrhea, which he had experienced since February 2004. He was diagnosed as having advanced pancreatic cancer by enhanced abdominal CT scan in May 2004. He was diagnosed with unresectable pancreatic cancer, and treated with a combination of radiation (3 Gy/day) and injections of gemcitabine (GEM) 1,200 mg/week (800 mg/m2, BSA 1.6). Abdominal CT scan revealed a minor response (tumor diameter 5.7 x 4.8 --> 5.2 x 4.4). Accordingly, the improvement of performance status and reduction in serum levels of arcinoembryonic/carbohydrate antigen 19-9 (CA19-9) were observed. In July 2004, chemotherapy and radiotherapy were switched to GEM+UFT (UFT 360 mg/day, a total of 4,320 mg, GEM 1,200 mg according to the body mass, a total of 2,400 mg). The patient's performance state was stable for 6 months but serum levels of CA19-9 increased from March 2005, and he complained of diarrhea and back-pain. Therefore, the combination chemotherapy with GEM and cisplatin (CDDP) was started in April 2005, but there was no clinical effect. GEM and TS-1 are currently being administered. Pancreatic cancer is one of the worst prognoses of any malignant disease. Although the prognosis of unresectable pancreatic cancer is very poor, we presented a case where performance status and survival benefits were obtained by undergoing chemoradiation with GEM and combination chemotherapy with UFT and GEM.     

Treatments of pancreatic cancer from the standpoint of medical oncology

The early diagnosis of pancreatic cancer is difficult because of the lack of specific early symptoms,and surgery with curative intent can be performed in only 20% of patients. Chemotherapy for unresectable pancreatic cancer has been advancing ever since gemcitabine (GEM) was confirmed to provide a survival advantage in patients with advanced pancreatic cancer. For more than 20 years, the standard treatment for locally advanced diseases has been chemoradiotherapy using 5-FU, but more effective chemotherapy regimens are required. New standard treatments for locally advanced pancreatic cancer, including GEM chemotherapy and chemoradiotherapy using new agents, should be investigated. Several randomized clinical trials comparing GEM-based chemotherapy and GEM alone for the treatment of unresectable pancreatic cancer have been conducted, but a new standard chemotherapy regimen superior to GEM alone has not established. In Japan, phase II studies of S-1 or a combination of GEM and S-1 have produced promising survival rates, and a large phase III study using GEM and S-1 is necessary to establish the standard chemotherapy. Furthermore, second-line chemotherapy regimens for use after GEM chemotherapy should be investigated to improve the survival of patients with advanced pancreatic cancer.     

The efficacy and safety of continuous intra-arterial infusion neoadjuvant chemotherapy with surgery for locally advanced gastric cancer: a preliminary pilot study

BackgroundNeoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC) followed by R0 resection is regarded as a standard treatment strategy for locally advanced gastric cancer (GC); however, the response to systemic chemotherapy remains unsatisfactory. Continuous intra-arterial infusion chemotherapy (CAIC) is a new method, compared with systematic chemotherapy, it can deliver chemotherapy drugs more accurately, so as to achieve higher surgical conversion rate. This study aimed to explore the efficacy and safety of CAIC in locally advanced GC patients.MethodsIn this retrospective pilot study, four patients with histologically confirmed locally advanced GC were identified from a tertiary hospital between May 2018 and December 2018. Clinic stage was belonged to T4N1-3M0 in all cases with potential probability for surgery. All cases received three cycles of NAC by CAIC with oxaliplatin (100 mg on day 1) plus oral S-1 (80 mg/m²/day twice daily for 14 days) (SOX). Contrast-enhanced computed tomography (CT) scans and pathological examinations were performed to evaluate chemotherapeutic response based on the tumor regression grade (TRG) and post-neoadjuvant pathological Tumor Node Metastasis (ypTNM) staging. All cases were regularly followed up with face-to-face interviews at outpatient, abdominal enhanced CT scan and serum tumor markers were be requested at 3-month intervals for up to 1 year postoperatively.ResultsThe obstruction was significantly alleviated after three cycles of CAIC. Contrast-enhanced CT scans showed decreased tumor volume to some extent, along with lymph node shrinkage after treatment. Radical (R0) resection was achieved in all cases. Histopathological analysis showed tumor downstaging in three cases and upstaging in one case. The tumor response to treatment demonstrated TRG1a in one case, TRG1b in one case, and TRG2 in two cases, with an overall tumor regression rate of 100%. No obvious adverse events or perioperative complications were observed during or following treatment. All cases were alive without tumor recurrence or progression after the 1-year postoperative follow-up.ConclusionsOur study may shed light on super-selective CAIC as an effective method for improving the NAC response in locally advanced GC. Future studies with a larger sample sizes and long-term outcomes are required for a final conclusion.     

Two cases of advanced pancreatic cancer responding to gemcitabine with long survival of 2 years

Gemcitabine (GEM) is currently considered a standard drug for advanced pancreatic cancer and widely used for patients with this carcinoma. We report on 2 patients with unresectable pancreatic cancer who were able to survive for more than 2 years after GEM treatments. Case 1 was a 82-year-old woman with invasion to celiac artery and who was inoperable. During GEM administration, she had no symptoms and the tumor did not progress. However, because of the toxicities of heart failure, GEM administration was stopped after she took a total of 16,800 mg. After GEM administration was stopped, symptoms appeared and the tumor progressed. Case 2 was a 39-year-old man with obstructive jaundice with liver and lymph node metastases. He was treated with metallic stent in order to reduce cholestasis. During GEM administration, he had no symptoms and the tumor did not progress. As an adverse event, rash occurred after he took a total of 51,800 mg. GEM administration was then stopped. This patient sometimes developed cholestasis due to tumor ingrowths and sludge and was treated successful by endoscopy. GEM has shown to improve survival and show a clinically beneficial response in patients with advanced pancreatic cancer. However, toxic events can be expected to occur with long term GEM administration. We consider that management of complications such as obstructive jaundice is very important in the treatment of pancreatic cancer.     

Successful treatment of 5-FU intraarterial infusion on the third postoperative day for a patient with multiple liver metastases from colon cancer and high risk of liver failure

A 68-year-old man with multiple liver metastases from stage 4 advanced descending colon cancer who underwent partial resection of the colon and simultaneous catheter insertion into the gastroduodenal artery for arterial infusion chemotherapy. On postoperative day 3, the multiple liver metastases had enlarged so rapidly that there was high risk of liver failure. Intraarterial infusion of 5-FU 600 mg/m2 (1,000 mg/body) for 6 hours weekly and intravenous administration of methylpredonisolone 125 mg were started for emergency chemotherapy on the third postoperative day. Only 1 course was sufficient for the patient be rid of oncologic emergencies and liver failure. After 3 courses, liver metastases showed significant reduction.     

Laparoscopic distal pancreatectomy with regional lymphadenectomy through retroperitoneal-first laparoscopic approach (Retlap) for locally advanced pancreatic body cancer

BackgroundLaparoscopic distal pancreatectomy (LDP) is widely performed [1,2]. However, LDP with regional lymphadenectomy for locally advanced pancreatic cancer (LAPC) is technically demanding [3]. We previously reported a new strategy named “retroperitoneal-first laparoscopic approach (Retlap)” for distal pancreatectomy with en bloc celiac axis resection [4]. In this study, Retlap is applied during LDP with regional lymphadenectomy (see Fig. 1).MethodsThis video demonstrates the case of a 70-year-old woman with a 100 × 40-mm LAPC. Preoperative computed tomography revealed a large tumor near the root of the celiac axis and acute pancreatitis in the pancreatic head. An ample dorsal margin should be secured and regional lymphadenectomy performed because of the large tumor. In Retlap, the celiac axis was exposed using the retroperitoneal approach from the dorsal side of the pancreatic body, and then the left adrenal grand and left celiac ganglion were removed. Without interfering with the tumor, the root of the splenic artery was identified, facilitating easy performance of lymphadenectomy around the celiac axis and superior mesenteric artery in Retlap. After dividing the splenic artery, the procedure was converted to laparoscopic approach and resection was completed.ResultsThe operative time and estimated blood loss were 487 min and 45 mL, respectively. Pathological examination confirmed a negative surgical margin, and R0 resection was achieved with uneventful postoperative course.ConclusionRetlap was technically feasible and useful for achieving adequate and secure surgical margin and regional lymphadenectomy. Retlap can help secure the operative field of view in difficult cases of LAPC.     

A case of salvage chemotherapy with gemcitabine hydrochloride and nedaplatin for gemcitabine-refractory pancreatic cancer

A 73-year-old woman with carcinoma of the pancreatic head underwent Whipple?s operation and intraoperative radiation therapy(20 Gy). After surgery, adjuvant chemotherapy with gemcitabine hydrochloride(GEM 1,000 mg every two weeks)was conducted. After 15 courses, the tumor marker CA19-9 gradually increased to 3,770 U/mL, and a supraclavicular lymph node metastasis(Virchow?s node)was detected. We selected the combination of GEM and nedaplatin(1,000 mg and 50 mg every two weeks, respectively)as salvage chemotherapy. After six courses of this nedaplatin/GEM combination, her CA19-9 level was markedly reduced to 657 U/mL and the lymph node metastasis disappeared. There were no adverse reactions. Combined nedaplatin/GEM therapy was continued for nine months(18 courses)until lung metastases occurred. This combination can be effective in some patients with GEM-refractory pancreatic cancer.     

Sequential administration of methotrexate, cisplatin, and 5-fluorouracil in multimodal therapy for locally advanced head and neck cancer

Thirty-eight previously untreated patients with locally advanced head and neck cancer received three cycles of induction chemotherapy with methotrexate (120 mg/m2) followed by cisplatin (100 mg/m2) and a 5-day continuous infusion of 5-fluorouracil (1,000 mg/m2 per day). The response rate in 34 evaluable patients was 94%, with a complete response rate of 26%. Thirty-one patients underwent local therapy following induction chemotherapy, and 25 (81%) were rendered free of disease: 14 of 15 treated with surgery and radiotherapy and 11 of 16 treated with radiotherapy alone. At a median follow-up of 11 months, 8 patients have relapsed while the remaining 17 patients continue free of disease. The dose-limiting toxicity of chemotherapy was mucositis resulting in reduction of the 5-fluorouracil dose in 28 patients. This regimen is highly effective in inducing responses in patients with locally advanced head and neck cancer; 81% of the patients who complete local therapy are rendered free of disease with this multimodal approach. Due to short follow-up, the relapse rate, overall survival, and disease-free survival cannot yet be determined.