Cyclophosphamide, tetrahydropyranyl-adriamycin, and cis-platinum in the treatment of head and neck adenocarcinoma.

Twelve patients with advanced or relapsed head and neck adenocarcinoma received a combination chemotherapy regimen of either cyclophosphamide (C), tetrahydropyranyl-adriamycin (T), and cis-platinum (P) (CTP) or cyclophosphamide, adriamycin (A), and cis-platinum (CAP). Cyclophosphamide (300 mg/sq m), either etrahydropyranyl-adriamycin (30 mg/sq m) or adriamycin (30 mg/sq m), and cis-platinum (50 mg/sq m) were administered intravenously in a single day. Nine patients received the CTP regimen, and three patients, the CAP regimen. Prior to chemotherapy, five patients had received surgery or radiation therapy, and the other seven patients received no special treatment. A response rate 75% was achieved (9/12); there were 7 complete responses, whose duration was a mean 6.8 months, ranging from 2 to 18 months, and 2 partial responses, whose duration was 2 months. Virtually all patients experienced nausea and vomiting. Alopecia developed in 7 patients; however, the patients with the CTP regimen experienced less alopecia, if any. Leucopenia and anemia of either a slight or moderate degree were observed, but there was no patient for whom it was necessary to discontinue the treatment. Both CTP and CAP regimens appear to be of significant value in controlling head and neck adenocarcinoma.