mercaptopurine and Maxillary-Neoplasms

A case of osteogenic sarcoma of the maxilla is described. The tumor was excised by a hemimaxillectomy but recurred in 3 months. The patient died 8 months after the initial onset of symptoms. Chemotherapy and radiation were ineffective with the exception of bleomycin, which caused necrosis of the tumour, with no apparent increase in growth, and a decrease of the serum alkaline phosphatase level to less than half of the maximum value. There was a close correlation between the fluctuating pattern of the serum alkaline phosphatase level and the growth and remission of the tumour during the entire course of treatment.

Topics: Alkaline Phosphatase; Bleomycin; Cyclophosphamide; Doxorubicin; Female; Humans; Maxillary Neoplasms; Mercaptopurine; Middle Aged; Mitomycins; Neoplasm Metastasis; Osteosarcoma; Prednisolone; Vincristine

A multiple drug regimen was given to 36 patients with advanced carcinomas of the head and neck. In 19 of the 24 patients who were assessable the tumour regressed more than 50%; in one it regressed by 25%; and in four it did not respond at all. Multiple drug chemotherapy should be given much earlier in the course of these cancers, preferably as an adjuvant to surgery or radiotherapy.

Topics: Antineoplastic Agents; Bleomycin; Doxorubicin; Drug Synergism; Drug Therapy, Combination; Ear Neoplasms; Fluorouracil; Head; Head and Neck Neoplasms; Humans; Hydroxyurea; Laryngeal Neoplasms; Maxillary Neoplasms; Mercaptopurine; Methotrexate; Mouth Neoplasms; Nasopharyngeal Neoplasms; Neoplasms; Tongue Neoplasms; Tonsillar Neoplasms; Vincristine

Topics: Antibiotics, Antineoplastic; Antineoplastic Agents; Chlorambucil; Cyclophosphamide; Female; Humans; Hydrazines; Male; Maxillary Neoplasms; Mercaptopurine; Methotrexate; Mouth Neoplasms; Vinblastine