Cisplatin‐based chemotherapy for neoplasms arising from salivary glands and contiguous structures in the head and neck

We observed a 38% response rate from platinum‐based chemotherapy among 34 patients with locally recurrent or disseminated neoplasms from salivary glands or contiguous structures. Adenocarcinoma was the predominant histology. Eleven patients manifested partial response or regression, and two had complete regressions of soft tissue disease. The most durable visceral responses were partial regressions (lung, 11 months; and central nervous system, 34 months). Eleven of the 13 responders showed tumor regression within 3 months of commencing therapy, and the median response duration was 7 months (range 2–34 months). The median survival among all 34 patients was 15 months, and was 18 months among the 13 responders. Hence, a response to treatment did not necessarily confer any long‐term survival advantage. Although gastrointestinal toxicities were troublesome with the earlier regimens, contemporary antiemetics (dexamethasone, metoclopramide) have substantially modified these sequelae. Platinum programs may provide useful palliation for selected patients with these neoplasms, but the impact on survival is negligible.