Concurrent chemotherapy and radiation therapy of selected head and neck squamous cell carcinomas using bleomycin and hydroxyurea: A southwest oncology group study

Abstract

Forty-three patients with Stage 111 or IV squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck were treated with simultaneous hydroxyurea and bleomycin in four treatment levels and with full-dose radiotherapy. Complete responses ranged from 28 to 50% (P = .47), and complete plus partial responses ranged from 57 to 84% ( P = .50), in a total of 33 patients. The primary toxicity was moderate to severe mucositis and minimal leukopenia. Despite good initial response, long-term survival duration was not greater than was that for historical controls.