Treatment of advanced head and neck cancer using synchronous therapy with methotrexate and irradiation.

A pilot study of synchronous methotrexate and radiation therapy was carried out in 50 patients with advanced carcinoma of the head and neck, of whom 48 were assessable for response. Complete resolution of disease, maintained for 2 years, was achieved in 21 patients (45%), and in 19 out of 36 patients (53%) with carcinoma of the oropharynx and hypopharynx. The treatment was well tolerated, with acceptable morbidity.