A case of pulmonary metastases from laryngeal cancer showing a complete response to chemotherapy with docetaxel

Docetaxel (TXT) is a new cytotoxic agent against head and neck, (H and N) cancer since the emergence of cisplatin. We herein describe the efficacy of TXT in treating distant metastases from H and N cancer. The patient was a 61-year-old man who had undergone laryngectomy and irradiation for laryngeal cancer (glottic type: T3N0M0). More than 2 years later after the first course of therapy, pulmonary metastases involved in the left lower area were revealed by lung CT. The divided TXT therapy (20 mg, 3 times, and 40 mg, 3 times) was carried out without any sequelae. This consecutive therapy resulted in complete disappearance of the metastases on follow-up CT. It is suggested that divided TXT therapy has potential as a new treatment modality for distant metastases of H and N cancer.