Chemotherapy of locally aggressive head and neck tumors in the pediatric age group. Desmoid fibromatosis and nasopharyngeal angiofibroma

Our experience with the use of systemic chemotherapy in the management of locally aggressive head and neck tumors in the pediatric age group (desmoid fibromatosis and nasopharyngeal angiofibroma) is presented. Objective decreases in the size of tumors was found in all patients with desmoid fibromatosis was treated with chemotherapy before definitive surgical resection was performed. The changes noticed on examination correlated with the histologic and radiologic findings. Two patients with recurrent juvenile nasopharyngeal angiofibromas showed striking therapeutic improvement in their residual tumor mass as witnessed by radiographic studies and biopsies. Toxicity and side effects of the treatment are discussed.