Studies on the effectiveness of teleradiotherapy in advanced oropharyngeal squamous carcinoma

After an analysis of 220 patients the author evaluated the effectiveness of teleradiotherapy for advanced squamous oropharyngeal carcinoma. It was shown that classic fractionated isolated teleradiotherapy with Co-60 is of little use in the treatment of advanced cases. Combined treatment with methotrexate and radiotherapy with planned interval was also of low effectiveness. The respective proportions of asymptomatic one-year survivals were 8.2% and 8.6%. The investigations in the group of patients with advanced squamous oropharyngeal carcinoma being in a good general condition showed the possiblity of achieving 30% of asymptomatic one-year survivals after radiotherapy with sequential multiple drug chemotherapy. In the group of patients in poor general condition radiotherapy with massive fractionated doses over a shorter time period with planned intervals was a highly effective palliation. (author)