[A case of hypopharyngeal carcinoma in which a complete response to chemotherapy was achieved with docetaxel, cisplatin, 5-FU and levofolinate].

We treated a patient with hypopharyngeal carcinoma who achieved a complete response following three cycles of chemotherapy with docetaxel, cisplatin, 5-FU and levofolinate. A 77-year-old Japanese male with hypopharyngeal carcinoma had undergone a radical esophageal operation and subsequent radiation therapy in the lower neck and upper mediastinum in 1991 because of esophageal carcinoma. He refused radical total laryngopharyngotomy, and agreed to chemotherapy. Three cycles of chemotherapy with docetaxel, CDDP, 5-FU and l-LV were then administered and no other therapy was given. Sixteen months after this chemotherapy he had no recurrence and no metastasis. We conclude that chemotherapy using docetaxel, cisplatin, 5-FU, and levofolinate will be useful for treating head and neck cancer.