Abstract
The results of intravenous chemotherapy for advanced squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck in 50 patients are presented. Forty patients were treated with methotrexate alone-3 patients showed partial regression of disease and a further 7 were controlled for periods of up to 4 months. Of those patients who failed to respond, or who relapsed on methotrexate, 16 were treated with combination chemotherapy. One patient showed complete regression of disease, 2 partial regression and in 2 others control was achieved for up to 4 months. A further 10 patients were treated with combination chemotherapy only, with no previous methotrexate. In this group no objective regressions were noted and only one patient was controlled for a period of 14 months. It is suggested that intravenous chemotherapy in advanced squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck is of doubtful value.