DNA measurements for monitoring chemotherapy in advanced head and neck carcinomas

Background. Quantitative DNA measurements have demonstrated prognostic relevance in various malignancies, including head and neck cancer. The application of DNA measurements in monitoring and predicting the outcome of chemotherapy in treating patients with head and neck cancer was investigated. Methods. Twenty-five patients with advanced squamous cell carcinomas of the head and neck who underwent primary chemotherapy with three courses of cisplatin and 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) were examined in this study. Cytologic smears from the tumor site, as well as from normal mucosa, were taken before and 1 week after each course of chemotherapy. Quantitative DNA measurements were performed using an auto…