Recent Trials in the Treatment of Maxillary Sinus Carcinoma, With Special Reference to the Chemical Potentiation of Radiation Therapy

Abstract

Four hundred cares of Maxillary Antrum Carcinoma, which were treated at Osaka University Hospital during 1957-68, were reviewed. Special emphasis was laid on the prospective controlled trial to evaluate the chemical potentiation of radiotherapy. In the cases treated up to the end of 1966, external radiotherapy followed by radical operation was applied in general. The 5-year survival rates of these were 30% for the combined group, and 13% for the group receiving radiotherapy alone. Although results have been showing improvement due to technical advancement, including high energy radiotherapy, the 5-year survival rate of the total cases treated between 1961 and 1966 was less than 30%. Since the beginning of 1967, a controlled trial has been under way to evaluate the chemical potentiation of radiotherapy, by arterial infusion of 5-Fluorouracil, Cyclohexanol succinate or Ametohepazone, or by oral administration of Cyclohexanol succinate. Of these, there has been found improved recurrence-free rates in the arterial infusion groups of 5-Fluorouracil and of Cyclohexanol at 6 to 24 months observation. The difference of the results between 5-Fluorouracil group and the radiotherapy alone group was statistically significant at 6 months and at 12 months. Any difference in the 1 to 2-year survival figures has not been found, possibly due to subsequent successful surgery.