[Toxicity of cisplatin with continuous infusion of 5-fluorouracil in neoadjuvant chemotherapy of carcinoma of the oral cavity].

The intensity and dynamism of the toxicity of the neoadjuvant chemotherapy regimen utilizing cis-diaminodichloro-platinum (CDDP) with continuous 5-day infusion of 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) was recorded and analyzed during the treatment of 23 patients with histologically established epidermoid carcinoma of the oral cavity. The most frequent sign of toxicity was leukopenia and nausea/vomiting, both occurring in 78% of cases. Leukopenia was more frequent and serious than reported in other studies. On the contrary, nephrotoxicity was mild and less frequent (17%) compared to literary data. Diarrhea was associated with the administration of CDDP in 31%, minimal hair loss was recorded in 21% of cases. Other signs of toxicity were rare and mild. The degree of severity of toxicity was increasing with the number of treatment courses only with respect to hematologic parameters. No life-threatening complications were recorded. In seven cases continuous treatment had to be interrupted after three days due to leukopenia. With regard to toxicity, the applied treatment schedule (three courses) is fully acceptable, safe and suitable as neoadjuvant chemotherapy in the complex management of oral cavity carcinoma without the risk of delaying subsequent definitive treatment.