Between April 2002 and March 2006, 30 patients with T3 or T4a squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck underwent intra-arterial chemoradiotherapy. Treatment consisted of superselective intra-arterial infusions (docetaxel, total 60 mg/m2; cisplatin, total 150 mg/m2) and daily concurrent radiotherapy (total, 60 Gy) for 6 weeks.
The median follow-up for all patients was 46.2 months (range, 10–90 months). The median follow-up for living patients was 49.7 months (range, 36–90 months). After intra-arterial chemoradiotherapy was administered, primary site complete response was achieved in 30 (100 % ) of 30 cases. Seven patients (23.3 % ) died. Using the Kaplan-Meier method, 1-year, 3-year, and 5-year survival rates were 96.7 % , 83.1 % , and 70.2 % , respectively, while 1-year, 3-year, and 5-year local control rates were 83.3 % , 79.7 % , and 73.0 % , respectively. Grade 3 or 4 mucositis occurred in 20 cases (66.7 % ). Grade 3 toxicities included dysphagia in 20 cases (66.7 % ), dermatitis in 6 cases (20 % ), nausea/vomiting in 2 cases (6.7 % ), and neutropenia and thrombocytopenia in 1 case (3.3 % ). No osteoradionecrosis of mandible and maxillary bones developed during follow-up.
Intra-arterial chemoradiotherapy using a superficial temporal artery provided good overall survival and local control rates. This combination chemoradiotherapy approach can preserve organs and minimize functional disturbance, thus contributing to patients' quality of life.