TPF-Induction Chemotherapy of Oropharyngeal and Cavity of the Mouth Cancer

A combination therapy of Docetaxel, Cisplatin und 5-Fluorouracil (= TPF) will be used in patients with resectable oropharyngeal and cavity of the mouth cancer. To improve the compatibility of the TPF-induction without decreasing the efficacy the dose will be given on day 1 and 8 instead of applying the whole dose on day 1 every 3 weeks.

In the phase I-part of the trial the optimal therapeutic dose of Docetaxel and Cisplatin will be defined.

In the phase II-part the progression-free survival after 2 years will be assessed in patients treated with the optimal therapeutic dose.

Local advanced Oropharyngeal and cavity of the mouth Cancer are often treated with a combination of surgery and/or radiation and /or chemotherapy.

Despite of therapy improvement there are only little advances in progression-free survival and overall survival.

Therefore new therapy concepts are needed. The advantage of the induction chemotherapy is the possibility of tumor response assessment during chemotherapy and may present a selection criterion for organ preservation.

In order to minimize the time between chemotherapy and surgery it is important to have an early answer for the tumor response. In this study response will be assessed after the first cycle of chemotherapy. Patients showing no tumor response will be operated at once. The other patients will receive further cycles of chemotherapy.

Toxicity of the induction chemotherapy have to be moderate because surgery should not be delayed.

To improve the tolerance of induction therapy the medication dose isn't given on day 1 every 3 weeks, but is dispersed on day 1 and day 8, q3weeks.

Eligibility Criteria:
Inclusion Criteria:

1. Histological proven, resectable squamous epithelial carcinoma of the oropharynx and the cavity of the mouth
2. R0-resection possible
3. All T N2 M0 / all T N3 M0 / if T3 or T4a also N0-1 M0
4. Leucocytes \> 4000/mm³ bzw. neutrophils \> 2000/mm³, thrombocytes \> 100000/mm³
5. adequate kidney function, defined as serum creatinine und urea in normal range, Creatinine clearance \> 60 ml/min
6. adequate liver function with glutamate oxaloacetate transaminase (SGOT), glutamate pyruvate transaminase (SGPT) and bilirubin in normal range
7. electrolytes in normal range
8. risks of anesthesia complications normal or minor increased
9. Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) 0-2 / Karnofsky \>= 60%
10. Age 18 - 80 years
11. signed written informed consent
12. effective contraception for both male and female subjects if the risk of conception exists

    Exclusion Criteria:
13. T1 N0 M0 / T1 N1 M0 / T2 N0 M0 / T2 N1 M0
14. Resection without curative intention: primary tumor is not treatable with resection methods
15. Infiltration of the lower jaw
16. M1 status
17. Tumor not measurable with Innovation Center Computer Assisted Surgery (ICCAS) methods
18. No prior chemotherapy or radiation (a primary surgery is allowed)
19. Metachronous or oder synchronous malignoma (Exception: basal cell carcinoma)
20. Life expectance \< 3 months
21. ECOG \> 2; Karnofsky \< 60%
22. acute infections or fever
23. known HIV-infection or other immune suppression
24. severe cardio pulmonary concomitant diseases
25. chronic disease with continuous therapy (uncontrolled diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis) especially continuous therapy with steroids
26. other concomitant diseases which, in the investigator's opinion, would exclude the patient from the study
27. Contraindications which permit a therapy with Docetaxel, Cisplatin, 5-FU or radiation therapy
28. missing patient's compliance
29. regular Follow-up visits not possible
30. Pregnancy or lactation period
31. legal incapacity or limited legal capacity
32. Participation in another clinical trial or administration of a not approved substance within 30 days before registration