Palliation of advanced head and neck cancer with radiofrequency hyperthermia and cytotoxic chemotherapy.

Fourteen patients with recurrent malignant tumours of the head and neck were treated with radiofrequency hyperthermia and chemotherapy after conventional therapy had failed. After 2 to 11 treatment courses and a follow-up of 30 weeks, the neoplasms in three patients had completely regressed and one had a partial response. Of eight patients who died, two had partial responses initially; a third patient died of complications relating to surgical resection of the tumour after a partial response. Three of five patients whose tumours were unresponsive to methotrexate responded when this drug was given with radiofrequency hyperthermia. There were seven minor skin burns in six patients. Further studies of radiofrequency hyperthermia and chemotherapy for palliation of head and neck cancer are planned.