Radiation therapy, cisplatin and hyperthermia in combination in management of patients with carcinomas of the head and neck with N2 or N3 metastatic cervical lymph nodes.

Fifty-three patients with carcinomas of the head and neck with N2 or N3 metastatic cervical lymph nodes were treated with radiation therapy (median, 70 Gy), cisplatin (median, 6 weekly courses) and hyperthermia (median, 6 twice weekly sessions). Local complete response was achieved in 82% and nodal complete response in 85% of patients. Overall survival was 51% and disease-free survival was 54% at 2 years. Toxicity was acceptable. Radiation therapy, cisplatin and hyperthermia in combination prove to be effective and safe in management of these patients.