Thermochemotherapy of lower lip squamous cell carcinoma without metastases: An experience of 31 cases

Liang, Xin-hua; He, Yong-wen; Tang, Ya-ling; Wu, Jun-low; Cao, Xuan-ping; Xiao, Gui-zhou; Mao, Zu-yi

doi:10.1016/j.jcms.2009.07.008

« Previous Next »Journal of Cranio-Maxillo-Facial Surgery
Volume 38, Issue 4 , Pages 260-265, June 2010

Thermochemotherapy of lower lip squamous cell carcinoma without metastases: An experience of 31 cases

Xin-hua Liang, MD, PhD
- Faculty, Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, State Key Laboratory of Oral Diseases, West China Hospital of Stomatology, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan 610041, China
- These authors contributed equally to this work.
Yong-wen He, MD
- Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, West China Hospital of Stomatology, Sichuan University, China
- Department of Stomatology Institute, The First Affiliated Hospital of Kunming Medical College, Kunming, Yunnan 650032, China
- These authors contributed equally to this work.
- Formerly, Research fellow; Currently, Faculty.
Ya-ling Tang, MD
- Faculty, Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, State Key Laboratory of Oral Diseases, West China Hospital of Stomatology, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan 610041, China
Jun-low Wu, MD
- Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, West China Hospital of Stomatology, Sichuan University, China
- Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Shandong Provincial Hospital, Jinan, Shandong 250021, China
- Formerly, Research fellow; Currently, Faculty.
Xuan-ping Cao, MD
- State Key Laboratory of Oral Diseases, West China Hospital of Stomatology, Sichuan University, China
- Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, The Affiliated Hospital of Stomatology, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan 450044, China
- Formerly, Research fellow; Currently, Faculty.
Gui-zhou Xiao, MD
- Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, West China Hospital of Stomatology, Sichuan University, China
- Department of Head and Neck Surgery, Shaoyifu Hospital, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310016, China
- Formerly, Research fellow; Currently, Faculty.
Zu-yi Mao, MD
- Faculty, Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, State Key Laboratory of Oral Diseases, West China Hospital of Stomatology, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan 610041, China
- Zu-yi MAO, MD, Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, West China Hospital of Stomatology, Sichuan University. NO. 14, Sec. 3, Renminnan Road, Chengdu, Sichuan Province 610041, China. Tel.: +86 28 61153302; Fax: +86 28 85503479.

Received 8 December 2008; accepted 22 July 2009. published online 10 August 2009.

Summary

Introduction

The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy, functional and aesthetic results, and safety of a novel treatment, thermochemotherapy, for lower lip squamous cell carcinoma (LLSCC) without metastases.

Patients and Methods

A combination of local hyperthermia delivered by a 915MHz microwave heating system and the chemotherapy of pingyangmycin (bleomycin A(5) hydrochloride) (PYM) and methotrexate (MTX), was administered to 31 patients of LLSCC twice per week for a period of 4.5–7.5 weeks. Patients with complete response (CR) have been followed up for a full five-year period, whereas partial response (PR) patients were excluded for further analysis. The local control of tumour, functional and cosmetic outcomes, recurrence, regional lymph node and distant metastases, and complications were assessed by clinical and imaging examination.

Results

Clinical CR was observed in twenty-nine (93.55%) patients and PR in two (6.45%), the total response rate was 100%, while the adverse effects were extremely minimal and tolerable in all 31 patients including 6 elderly patients with a compromised general condition. All 29 CR, including 8 extensive lesions, achieved excellent cosmetic and functional preservation. During the follow-up period, local relapse was seen in 1 case, 1 patient died, and the remainder obtained a complete remission.

Conclusion

This clinical study suggests that thermochemotherapy may be a feasible treatment for primary LLSCC without cervical metastases, especially for patients with extensive lesions and a compromised general condition.

Keywords: lower lip squamous cell carcinoma, thermochemotherapy, hyperthermia, metastases