Possibilities of enhancing the effectiveness of intra-arterial chemotherapy.

Experience with preoperative, postoperative and palliative regional chemotherapy of 126 various head and neck tumors is evaluated. After an appropriate amount of cytostatic drugs was administered, the tumor regression attained 50% in each case. Especially good results were obtained with the treatment of gingival, tonsil, parotid gland and maxilla tumors. To enhance the effectiveness of treatment, it is of great importance to place the catheter in a precise positioning in which a modification of Patent Blue staining test reported here gives a great help. Effectiveness of regional chemotherapy can also be enhanced with the prevention, immediate diagnosis and skillful management of the complications.